Scott Morrison: Only global cities can secure an Olympic Games

Both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have congratulated Brisbane on achieving the seemingly impossible dream of securing the 2032 Olypics.

Congratulations Brisbane! For the third time in our history, the Olympic Games are coming to Australia – and for the second time, the Paralympic Games.

This is a phenomenal achievement for Brisbane and South East Queensland.

It is a truly historic day.

I am proud of Australia, proud of Queensland and proud of the team that brought this together.

It is recognition of Brisbane’s standing in our region and the world – because only global cities can secure an Olympic Games.

We are a sporting country who believe in the ideals and values of the Olympics and Paralympics. They cause us to lift our eyes and see the best of humanity.

Brisbane’s success is testament to the vision and tenacity of grassroots community leadership.

The passion and enthusiasm of South East Queensland councils, with whom the dream began, was embraced by Australians.

Our government backed the bid from the start and every step of the way, working with the councils and the Queensland government and committing $10m to the bid back in 2019.

All of us will work together to make sure the Brisbane Games are the best ever.

The IOC saw how Australian governments have worked together during the pandemic and to secure the bid.

Working with the Australian Olympic Committee, this was a team effort. Along with Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck and Ted O’Brien MP who led our federal efforts, I acknowledge the Queensland Premier and the South East Queensland Mayors who all worked side-by-side.

We proved nothing can stop Australia when we work together.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are an outstanding opportunity – for infrastructure, tourism, skills and jobs – continuing the transformation of Brisbane and inspiring the next generation of Australians to participate in our sporting life.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe look at artist impressions of a rebuild of the Gabba planned for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

KPMG has estimated economic and social benefits at $8.1bn for Queensland and $17.6bn for Australia. The Games are projected to create about 120,000 jobs for Australia, including 90,000 jobs for Queensland.

The international spotlight will deliver benefits for years.

I saw how Sydney 2000 transformed my own home town. It was a burst of joy that transformed our city.

It also took the Olympics and Australian sport to a whole new level.

We can look forward to all that and more from Brisbane 2032.

Even as we cheer on our athletes in Tokyo, I can’t wait!

- Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia

ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE WORKED TOGETHER. THAT’S GOLD MEDAL-WORTHY IN ITSELF

It’s ours! The winner is Queensland!

Finally – almost unbelievably – Queensland will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I say that it’s almost unbelievable because, until now, the most common question I was asked was ‘do you think we’ll get it?’

It was as if some dared not dream it was possible.

Now they have their answer.

We’ve done it!

Securing the world’s biggest event is a huge coup for our state, but it has never been about those few weeks of competition.

It is about the next 10 years of accelerated investment in time for the games.

And it is about maximising the tourism and trade benefits that will continue to come to us in the 10 years after 2032, giving Queensland a 20-year runway of jobs, infrastructure and opportunity.

People often complain that governments don’t work together on common goals.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games have proved that doesn’t have to be true.

All levels of government, across different political parties, have worked together to bring us to this point. That’s gold medal-worthy in itself.

Cross River Rail’s new station at the Gabba will be the catalyst for a transformation of access and transport to Brisbane’s iconic sporting precinct.

Our 50/50 funding split with the federal government to deliver critical infrastructure projects – to meet the needs of our growing state as well as being Games-ready – ensures a pipeline of major infrastructure will be brought forward.

Having the deadline of 2032 gets projects off drawing boards and into our lives that much sooner.

In that sense, everyone is the winner. It’s important to note the International Olympic Committee contributes to the costs.

It was after the very successful Commonwealth Games that I was first approached to consider going for the Olympics.

The IOC’s decision to change the rules for potential hosts – the New Norm – opened up the opportunity for a region to host the games, rather than a city.

That was Queensland’s chance.

I said at the time we would not be involved unless it stacked up financially and that all of Queensland could share in the pride and excitement of hosting the games.

I have kept to my word.

I want to acknowledge the input of the South East Queensland Council of Mayors.

In coming months, more will be revealed of how our regional cities can be more involved in the Olympic experience.

In world terms, Queensland is relatively unknown.

But now we are Olympic hosts, the world is asking to know more about our state.

We intend to show them.

Supplied artist impression of the proposed Gabba redevelopment for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games

As you know, there is a lot about which to be proud.

In many ways, the Olympic story is Queensland’s story.

We believe, as Olympians do, that hard work leads to reward.

It’s why one of the most compelling voices we put forward belonged to Patrick Johnson.

After losing his mother at the age of two, Patrick was raised by his father on a fishing trawler in Far North Queensland until he discovered sprinting.

Patrick’s journey as a First Nations athlete led him to become Australia’s fastest man and a two-time Olympian competing in Sydney and Athens.

His story reminds us that if you have a goal and put your mind to it anything is possible.

It’s a dream now shared by every Queensland child doing an extra lap of the oval or the pool thinking “it could be me”.

There was also this.

Because of the pandemic, all we could show the IOC members were pictures of Queensland, the postcard kind you expect. I told them I was sorry they could not see more of our greatest asset – the people of this state.

I told them how our care for each other had brought us through the pandemic. I talked about the Care Army.

I boasted about our warm and welcoming nature.

I said: “If you think Sydney was good, wait till you see us.”

Those were the clinchers.

You could tell they couldn’t wait to meet us.

Now is our time. Believe it.

It’s time for Queensland to shine.

- Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland.