Tourism and Sports Minister, Michael Healy, promises ‘best Olympics ever’ as Far North MP calls for the Games to be scrapped

The Olympic flame will burn brightly in Brisbane in 2032 Queensland’s Tourism and Sports Minister has promised, even though one Far North MP says he’d sooner have it extinguished.

Cairns MP Michael Healy completes his swim leg in the inaugural CLAMS charity swim relay at Tobruk Memorial Pool, raising money for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. The Sports Minister has responded to criticism around the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Olympic flame will burn brightly in Brisbane in 2032 Queensland’s Tourism and Sports Minister has promised, even though one Far North MP says he’d sooner have it extinguished.

The embattled $5bn project has drawn criticism from Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto who’s called for the Games to be canned unless a similar amount is spent on “critical nation-building projects” in North Queensland over the next decade.

But Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Sunshine State’s Olympics can revive the regions through increased tourism and upgraded infrastructure.

“I’m confident that we’re going to have the best Olympics ever hosted,” Mr Healy said.

“There have only been two Olympics in my lifetime that haven’t been politicised. One was Beijing and the other was Moscow.

“We’ve put a line in the sand, we’ve consulted extensively … and we’re now in a position where we know what we’re doing and we need to start funding it.

“80 per cent of the infrastructure is actually already in place. We just need to make improvements.”

Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto has called for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics to be scrapped unless billions of dollars are spent on critical infrastructure and projects across the north of the state. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Dametto questioned the value of Labor’s investment despite having now committed to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the event’s main stadium.

“What’s he gauging that on?” Mr Dametto said.

“It’s behind schedule in terms of the infrastructure that needs to be built.

“It’s created divisions within communities and across Queensland and now even some of the people that wanted it are calling for it to be scrapped.

“Last time I saw, we were running this Olympics on a shoestring budget. Unless he’s going on the idea of less is more, I don’t think that can be a true statement.”

Cazalys Stadium could host cricket matches in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Member for Cairns Michael Healy says. The Big Bash League Twenty20 cricket match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades at Cazalys Stadium. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Olympics will lead to improved facilities in communities across the state, including Cairns, Mr Healy said.

“We have a new mayor and I looking forward to working with her to get the best outcomes we can,” he said.

“In relation to Cazalys … there is a lot of talk about cricket may be part of the Olympics. If that is the case, we would have a facility up here that could accommodate for that.

“It’s about the lead up, what happens after and the legacies.”

Tourism operators across the state will benefit from hosting a major sporting event, Mr Healy said.

“We will present to the world a fantastic Olympic Games and this will be Queensland’s Olympics,” he said.

“It will put us in the spotlight. It will build the profile. We have world class assets.

“We know that 87 per cent of international tourists when they come here want to have Indigenous experiences and products. We’re investing in those areas.”

Originally published as Tourism and Sports Minister, Michael Healy, promises ‘best Olympics ever’ as Far North MP calls for the Games to be scrapped