Federal funds for Brisbane Olympics stalled after arena shift

The federal government is yet to recommit to its $3.44 billion contribution to Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure after its preferred project, an inner-city arena, was removed from the Games plan two months ago.

The Albanese government had agreed to fund the Brisbane Arena, which would host Olympic and Paralympic swimming events, leaving the main Olympic stadium to be delivered by the state.

But when Queensland’s new Crisafulli LNP government adopted its Brisbane 2032 delivery plan in March, the arena – which the previous Labor government planned to build at Roma Street – was left for the private sector to deliver at Woolloongabba.

A 2019 concept design for the 17,000-seat Brisbane Live, which was earmarked for Roma Street at the time.Credit: Queensland Government

Swimming would be held at a new National Aquatic Centre to be built next to the Centenary Pool at Victoria Park, where the main 63,000-seat Olympic stadium would also be built, though its exact location and design were yet to be determined.

The change meant the $7 billion joint funding agreement between the Albanese and Palaszczuk governments in 2023 needed to be renegotiated.

Noting what she called the “positive changes” coming out of the Crisafulli government’s 100-day review, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells said she was keen to come to a new agreement.

“The prime minister wrote to the premier saying, ‘you don’t have to worry about us squibbing on the deal’ – we love the Games, we want to make it a success, but we need to see that detail,” she said.

Wells said there had to be value for money to justify the use of federal taxpayer funds, which was something the Albanese government had identified in the Brisbane Arena.

“One of the things we loved about the Brisbane Arena is that we could say to people from Karratha or Bendigo, this is something that you can enjoy when you come to Brisbane,” she said.

“When you come for Magic Round or you come for Dua Lipa or whoever, you will enjoy the arena as part of your experience in Brisbane.

“So we’re still looking for that national value for money, and we look forward to receiving the detail from the deputy premier [Jarrod Bleijie].”

Noting Queensland’s Olympic plan had changed several times, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said federal funds needed to result in a real legacy.

“I wouldn’t have thought it was unreasonable to say that you don’t come up with a briefcase full of cash and say, ‘here it is, spend it on whatever you want’ – that’s not the way we deal with things,” he said.

Bleijie said he had been dealing with federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King since the general election to finalise a new intergovernmental agreement, as he backed in the government’s plan for a private sector arena.

“The Gabba entertainment and housing precinct has already received more than 200 registrations from interested private sector organisations who recognise this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he said.

“The transformational opportunity to deliver a world-class entertainment venue as part of a vibrant new nine-hectare entertainment and housing precinct in Woolloongabba will be a lasting legacy from the Games for our capital city and, indeed, the nation.

“Queenslanders strongly backed our government’s 2032 delivery plan, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Commonwealth on ensuring the Games are a success.”

Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris said the private sector route was a “bang-on” strategy to build the arena, which could yet feature as a Games venue.

“That’s a great, great example of actually giving the private sector a chance to deliver,” he said.

“Now, if it’s ready before ’32, we’re going to be looking very strongly at it as a venue, but we don’t count on that, so we don’t need it – but if it’s there, we’ll use it.”

Liveris said he was confident the state and federal governments would agree to a new funding arrangement.

“The federal election wasn’t all that long ago, so give them all a chance,” he said.

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority has applied to trademark the name “Gabba Arena” for the new venue.

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