Gold medal for Olympic spend

The International Olympic Committee is not the only party being misled by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as costs blow out on the Brisbane 2032 Games. All taxpayers are on the hook for the billions of dollars in additional spending that specifically was not to be allowed under the terms of the state’s successful bid.

Queensland residents, particularly those outside the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor, have every reason to feel disrespected as money needed for critical infrastructure and services is directed towards updating sporting facilities in the capital. Queensland citizens were promised better transport infrastructure from the Games. Instead, the bulk of the money is being spent on upgrading the Gabba stadium under a super-sized budget for little tangible result in terms of additional seating. Gone, too, is a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government that included a joint governance model maximising private sector participation.

Scott Morrison’s former Olympics envoy, Ted O’Brien, has become the latest person to blow the whistle on the Palaszczuk government’s extravagance, which defies undertakings given to the IOC. The committee was advised by Brisbane that no venue would be built or renovated specifically for the event. “Any construction or upgrading was already planned and would be delivered irrespective of the Games to meet the needs of a fast-growing region and population,” the IOC said.

This was in line with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 and the New Norm, which look for the maximum possible use of existing and temporary venues. The IOC’s New Norm was designed to ensure the Games were affordable, beneficial and sustainable. The new approach included reduced venue sizes, new transport options, optimising existing infrastructure and reusing the field of play for various sports. Indeed the original purpose of the Games bid was to help deliver the transport infrastructure required for South East Queensland’s booming population.

Queensland has abandoned the New Norm ideals, with the Gabba upgrade the most egregious example. It is also now clear that relations between Canberra and the Queensland government have been sorely tested with the abandonment of the 50-50 funding partnership agreed to by the previous federal Coalition government. The Brisbane Olympics no doubt will be a wonderful spectacle that is embraced by the nation. But the approach being taken by the Palaszczuk government detracts markedly from the gold-medal performance for Games organisation that the Premier had promised.