Brisbane Olympics stadium debate takes fresh twist

The Olympic stadium debate has taken a fresh twist, with the LNP’s shadow sports minister sparking confusion by refusing to rule out a new build despite his leader David Crisafulli doing so just days ago.

The LNP’s spokesman for Sport and Olympics and Paralympics has refused to rule out building a new stadium for Brisbane 2032 – despite his leader doing so three days ago.

Tim Mander was with David Crisafulli on Sunday when the latter suggested a new stadium was not on the cards.

“We are going to give people world-class venues. It won’t be QSAC, but we’ve spoken about no new stadiums,” Mr Crisafulli said.
But on the Gold Coast on Wednesday morning, when Mr Mander announced a $900,000 commitment to the Coomera Colts soccer club for a redevelopment project, Mr Mander repeatedly refused to rule out building a new stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The leader has stated repeatedly what the LNP’s plan is. And that is we will have a 100-day review by an independent Olympic infrastructure co-ordination authority and we’re going to let them make the decisions, experts in the field, not politicians,” he said.

“What’s happened is that Labor has had over 1100 days to make decisions and they’ve done nothing but stuff it up and cause confusion.

“All we’re saying is give us 100 days, let’s let the experts decide what that would look like and at the end of those 100 days we’ll make some decisions.”

Concept for the Victoria Park Olympic Stadium by Archipelago. Photo: Supplied

Brisbane Design Alliance proposal for a stadium at Northshore. Picture: Supplied.

Asked twice whether his comments should be taken to mean the LNP was not ruling out a new stadium, Mr Mander repeated that should it win government the party would wait on the outcome of its 100-day review.

“Look, I’m not going to say anything other than what I’ve said,” he said. “The 100 day review is by the experts, by the Olympic infrastructure independent authority, and I’m very confident they’ll come up with the right decision.”

Proposals have been put forward by private consortiums for potential stadiums at Victoria Park and at Northshore in Brisbane.

However LNP sources on Wednesday night told the Bulletin that the terms of reference for the party’s 100-day review would stipulate that existing venues be used and that there would be no new stadiums.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli during a media conference at Pine Rivers Football Club on Sunday where he was asked about stadium options. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Mander’s comments come after Premier Steven Miles called on his rival, Mr Crisafulli, to “be honest” about his plans for the Games.

“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,” he said. “The East Brisbane state school will come forward.

“The campaign about the warm-up track and the impact on green space, the implications of his decision to build the Gabba, he needs to answer for those instead of just obfuscating and saying well, I won’t do QSAC, I might do the Gabba, I won’t do Victoria Park.

“He doesn’t want to be held to account for that come October 26.”

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Originally published as Brisbane Olympics stadium debate takes fresh twist