Stadium review a case of bureaucracy gone mad

A STATE government solution to stadium price gouging may end up costing taxpayers more. Here is why.

Cbus Super Stadium played host to an A- League match in 2017. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

A TAXPAYER funded taskforce formed to probe the Government-appointed Stadiums Queensland has called in an outside consultancy firm to help.

In a duplication of tasks, the taskforce set to review the leasing arrangements and opportunities of Stadiums Queensland will now include executive-level state department bureaucrats and a private firm, the Boston Consulting Group.

Terms of reference for the review encompass responsibilities already tasked to the SQ board, which was paid a collective annual wage of $1.3 million in the last financial year.

The board now under review is made up of one chairman, six directors, a chief executive, a general manager for operations, a general manager for corporate services and a general manager for asset management and development.

The review into the board’s dealings follows accusations the stadium fees it is charging are crippling the state’s biggest sporting clubs, including the Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast Suns.

The Suns have said the AFL club cannot survive unless the Government slashes exorbitant fees, and the Titans NRL club has threatened to turn its back on the Robina stadium and to take its home games to other cities.

The taskforce report is expected to be released by the end of the year, despite a dire situation flagged by the Gold Coast clubs.

Gold Coast Titan Bryce Cartwright. The Titans have warned they need fair lease negotiation if they are going to stay at Cbus Stadium. Photo by Richard Gosling

Since 2015 the SQ management group has been responsible for planning, directing and controlling the activities of nine government-owned venues across Queensland, including Cbus Super Stadium used by the Titans, and Metricon Stadium used by the Suns.

In October 2016 an additional director, Rabieh Krayem, was appointed to oversee the North Queensland Stadium project.

In the last financial year the team responsible for 124.8 full-time equivalent employees saw 30 events take place at the two Gold Coast venues, Cbus Stadium and Metricon.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni’s office would not confirm what the total cost of the taskforce investigation into the government body might be.

Instead it released a statement, attributed to the minister, which said: “The development of the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy is a significant undertaking for our state as it’s a first for Queensland.

“Costs will be within both the department and Stadiums Queensland existing budgets and reported accordingly. And overall if we can make sport more affordable and accessible for all Queenslanders then it’s well worth the investment.”

The announcement of the taskforce came just days after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned heads would roll at Stadiums Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk told The Courier-Mail on April 18: “There will be a shake-up of the (SQ) board, that’s step No. 1.

“And step No. 2, we will be doing a thorough review, because what we have seen is that the Queensland public want to come out and support our sports in this state.’’

But in a response to the Bulletin, a State Government spokesman said board changes would only take place after the review.

“Any changes to Stadiums Queensland will be based on feedback from the taskforce. All feedback will be given appropriate consideration. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcomes of the taskforce,” she said.

“The Premier supports Minister de Brenni.’’

GOLD COAST SPORT HANDICAPPED BY UNFAIR CHANGES FROM GOVERNMENT

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she stands by Minister de Brenni. (AAP Image)

State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington rejected the taskforce solution outright.

“If I was premier, the board would be hauled in to explain why it shouldn’t be sacked,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The terms of reference for yet another Labor taskforce are laughable as they are the exact job description of what Stadiums Queensland should be doing.”

Ms Frecklington said fans were facing higher ticket prices and membership fees.

“Clubs are struggling, the fans are being ripped off and we are at risk of losing Queensland-based teams and games because of Labor’s inaction.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to prise her incompetent Sports Minister off the fence and finally make a decision.

“Another review is a waste of time and means that the stadium rip-offs will continue.’’

Queensland Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington says she would “haul” the Stadiums Queensland board in to explain why they shouldn’t be sacked. (AAP Image)