Opinion: Miles going where Palaszczuk feared to tread

Premier Steven Miles has shown great capacity to lift landmines his predecessor was in peril of standing on, writes Robert Schwarten.

Here in Rockhampton, nobody ever raises the issue of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

But when asked, some don’t know about it, others don’t care, the “what’s in it for me mob” deride it as usual, and just the occasional one nods a passable approval.

This should not surprise anyone, as the Games idea was fostered by a group of mayors from the southeast corner, who saw it as a chance for their wishlist to be delivered.

But I’m yet to be in a group of people in any setting in Brisbane that is jumping with enthusiasm.

There is a lot of talk about the legacy these Games will leave, but having been to Rio de Janeiro after their Olympics, there was general derision about the legacy.

The slums are still there, and poverty and crime is still rampant. But there is still the debt for infrastructure, some of which very quickly became obsolete or too expensive to maintain.

Being this far down the road here, it is almost impossible to imagine we would do a Dan Andrews and cancel the Games. But Premier Steven Miles was spot-on to order an audit into the venues for 2032.

Premier Steven Miles with his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk

I was the Beattie government minister responsible for the original rebuild of the Gabba in the late 1990s, so I know what a problematic idea that is.

Who even proposed it I do not know, but Mr Miles was smart to take stock of the situation as an incoming premier, and his choice of reviewer in former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quick was inspired.

Personally I am over unelected experts throwing their views around like tears at an Irish wake.

These are tough times. The construction industry has never been in worse shape. Spiralling supply prices, material shortages and chronic labour shortages – all beyond the control of the state – are making the task of estimating costs almost impossible.

The issues of health, education, and law and order are proving to be huge challenges for those who have to account for a budget.

They are the must-haves upon which the political tape measure will be run. Infrastructure for the Games is long way behind in the minds of voters.

So far Mr Miles has shown great capacity to lift landmines that his predecessor was in peril of standing on.

Her approach was to avoid the minefield. He has taken it on.

It’s not too late to find a different field – or a new path.

Robert Schwarten is a former Labor minister

Originally published as Opinion: Miles going where Palaszczuk feared to tread