Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveri dodges board cut questions
A Queensland mayor still wants a seat at a table of an important Olympics board as a cloud looms over the future of members that include sporting superstars.
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The Sunshine Coast mayor is under consideration for an important seat at the table of an Olympics board as questions remain over the future members of the board.
Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (Brisbane 2032) president Andrew Liveris visited the Sunshine Coast on Thursday as part of a series of community roadshows taking place across the state.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli is being considered as a new board member, but Mr Liveris would not confirm the future board’s makeup.
Mr Liveris met with students from Kawana Waters State College and was joined by Ms Natoli and Brisbane 2032 board directors, Olympian Jessica Fox and Paralympian Kurt Fearnley.
Speaking to media after the presentation for the local students, it was announced Ms Natoli had been put forward for consideration as a new board member.
“There has obviously been a submission by the Sunshine Coast to GIICA that our voice should be part of the board,” Ms Natoli said.
“Sunshine Coast currently is not sitting on the board and we did make a submission that when it comes to decisions relating to the Olympic and Paralympic Games that our voice should be heard, that we should be at the table.”
Mr Liveris confirmed this.
“Obviously this week has not been helpful to say you’re on the board you’re not on the board,” he said.
“Of course I’ve learnt that where they get that information from isn’t from me so frankly they just interpreted what the GIICA recommendations were.
“It’s true the Sunshine Coast has been definitely advocating for presence to have advocacy and input.
“I think you know this mayor very well. She has not been shy with me and she has definitely given me input.
“We are looking at the board structure and we now are moving to a different mode which is not as much planning and more doing. So the board structure will have to reflect decision making around very important decisions that have to be timely and so we’re having dialogue with the state on who’s on what board to do what job and that’s of course the next month or so.”
This comes days after it was announced high-profile figures, including the newly appointed renowned golfer Greg Norman, could face board axing.
The Courier-Mail revealed the government would act on a recommendation by the Games Independent Infrastructure Authority for the number of members on the 24-person Brisbane 2032 board to be significantly reduced.
Headed by Mr Liveris, the organising committee board’s 24 members include six politicians, sports personalities, Olympic decision-makers and business identities.
It is likely to be reduced to just 14 members.
The process to determine it could take months.
Despite the uncertainty, former world No. 1 golfer Greg Norman will attend his first board meeting on Friday. Norman’s standing in global business and sport is expected to see him avoid the future cull.
Questioning from media on whether the board would replace Greg Norman with another golfer, if he got the boot, elicited laughter from the Olympian Jessica Fox and Paralympian Kurt Fearnley, but no further details from Mr Liveris.
“The premise of your point about Greg Norman getting the boot is definitely not my premise,” he said.
“He just got appointed didn’t he and so we have got definitely a lot of people that are on this board, in fact everyone has a big role to play.
“I am so excited and thrilled, of course we have Olympians and Paralympians who have been on the board a while we just got Jess (Fox) joining us and Georgia Baker joining us. These are star quality people and Greg Norman is one of those.
“If you look at the LA board you’ll see movie producers and movie stars and celebrity athletes and athletes … why is that all important?
“Because they’re ambassadorial, they can actually attract young kids to want to be part of that.
“Should note by the way in there today we saw a dance performance … unbelievable … a performing art performance by our talent … this isn’t just about our sports side it’s about every young person saying I see a hero, I see a heroine, I see the possibility of an opening ceremony.
“I would say the Paralympic opening ceremony was phenomenal in Paris … and creativity it’s not just a French thing I think Australians have it too so we are definitely going to be using our board in this very important part of designing this experience … all of our board.”
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Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveri dodges board cut questions
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