AFL grand final 2020: Queensland government refuses to reveal cost to taxpayers

Despite repeated requests, the Palaszczuk Government has yet again refused to reveal how much it will cost Queensland taxpayers to host the AFL Grand Final at Brisbane’s Gabba.

Taxpayers are being kept in the dark about how much they’ve shelled out to help secure the AFL grand final.

The State Government again refused to reveal how much Queensland paid, with Deputy Premier Steven Miles hiding behind commercial in confidence today.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been tight-lipped when asked to reveal the cost to taxpayers for hosting the AFL grand final. Picture: Dan Peled

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“I understand those negotiations are commercial in confidence but what I understand is also that the modelled economic contribution is much greater than the contribution that we’ve made to the cost of putting the final on,” he said when asked whether the costings would be released before the Government goes into caretaker mode.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles also refused to answer questions on the cost of hosting the AFL grand final. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I think all Queenslanders want to make sure that we do a really good job of this.

“We’re custodians of a very, very special day for Victorians and we want to make sure that we do a really good job, that we take care of it for them.”

The Courier-Mail today revealed Queensland’s bid came in millions cheaper than other states.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also refused to reveal the costings yesterday, hiding behind commercial in confidence.

“This happens for a whole range of events,” she said.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said Queenslanders deserved to know how much it cost to secure the grand final.

“How much did it cost when we’ve got 234,000 Queenslanders out of work and businesses that are struggling,” she said.

Originally published as AFL grand final 2020: Queensland government refuses to reveal cost to taxpayers