2024 Queensland state election: Meaghan Scanlon slams LNP leader David Crisafulli over Olympic stadium
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has accused Opposition leader David Crisafulli of trying to “slip into government” without making any commitments on the 2032 Olympics.
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Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has accused Opposition leader David Crisafulli of trying to “slip into government” without making any commitments on the 2032 Olympics.
Mr Crisafulli on the weekend was asked nine times by journalists if he would accept private funding for the Games and total of 15 questions about stadium options – and he refused to give straight answers to any.
“Our focus is not on stadiums, our focus is on generational infrastructure,” he said on Sunday.
“We are going to give people world class venues, it won’t be QSAC, but we’ve spoken about no new stadiums.”
Asked to clarify whether the Gabba redevelopment was considered a new stadium build, Mr Crisafulli did not answer, instead saying the outdated site was “part of the mix”.
“I’ve said that from day one,” he said.
Labor believes the Gabba upgrade is firming as the LNP’s stadium of choice as the Opposition in government promises a 100-day review.
“I think David Crisafulli is trying to slip into government without making any position on anything that matters,” Ms Scanlon, the Gaven MP, said when asked by the Bulletin.
“The fact is the Gabba hasn’t got any cheaper to upgrade, and so if he wants to do that he needs to explain to Queenslanders what he is going to cut to pay for it.
“He continues to dodge basic questions and the last time the LNP did that they got into government and had cuts.”
Mr Crisafulli’s comments came despite the LNP previously not supporting the redevelopment of the Gabba, citing its high cost, of up to $2.7bn.
Ms Scanlon said the LNP had $16 billion of election commitments which the party had not explained how that funding could be paid for.
“Last time that led to 4400 health workers losing jobs, our electricity system being on the chopping block – there’s a lot at risk and David Crisafulli needs to come clean.”
LNP MP Sam O’Connor, speaking to media at Currumbin, defended Mr Crisafulli and insisted he had been open with voters about the party’s intentions if elected.
“I think he’s been pretty clear this is a 100-day review we have committed to and we need to make sure we get this right,” he said.
When asked whether voters should be clear about what an LNP government would do, Mr O’Connor said the party had been clear about what it would not do – the QSAC redevelopment.
“This is a 100-day review when we can get that expert advice and the leader has been very clear,” he said.
“You’ve highlighted the extensive questioning he’s had on this and he’s been clear about our position on this.”
Premier Steven Miles ridiculed Mr Crisafulli’s stance on Sunday.
“He’s got himself in quite a bind on Olympic stadiums, hasn’t he?” he said.
“He says he won’t go with the option that doesn’t involve a $3bn or more new stadium, but he also won’t build a $3bn or more stadium, so it has to be one or the other.
“He’s not telling Queenslanders he will build the Gabba and I’m sure that once he does, all of that feedback that we received when that was core to our plan will come forward.”
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