Brisbane the best stage for Australia’s first Quad summit, says Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese has backed Queensland's bid to host the prestigious Quad Leaders' Summit in Brisbane, marking a significant step towards the city's Olympic preparations.
Anthony Albanese has endorsed Queensland’s pitch for Brisbane to host the powerful Quad Leaders’ Summit next year, saying it would be a “great” opportunity to put the city on the international stage ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
The Prime Minister on Wednesday threw his support behind Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s bid to secure Australia’s first meeting of the reformed Quad, which the state leader has also been selling in separate communications to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in recent months.
The move comes as the first-term Premier works to repair relations between the key business partners, which were tested by the former Labor government.
Mr Albanese said he would work closely with Mr Crisafulli to “make sure” the meeting takes place in Queensland.
“In the lead up to Brisbane 2032, it is an opportunity to showcase this great global city to the world,” Mr Albanese said in Brisbane.
“Hosting of a Quad that brings together Australia, the United States, Japan and India, for major economies, will, of course, be a major international event.
“It attracts thousands of people, not just the four leaders, but it also attracts great international attention.”
The request comes as doubts remain over the next planned Indo-Pacific security meeting in New Delhi this year, due to disagreements between Mr Modi and US President Donald Trump over tariffs and geopolitical matters.
No date has been set, although the meeting dialogue may be held as early as September.
Queensland’s bid to host the summit is in part to repair the state’s business relationships with some of the region’s largest economic players after policies of the previous government created tensions with big business.
Indian conglomerate Adani’s proposed coalmine was accused by the country’s business leaders of being politicised in 2017.
Later, the Palaszczuk government’s decision to hike coal royalties without warning in 2022 was labelled as insulting by then-Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami, who urged the government to reconsider.
Mr Crisafulli said Mr Albanese’s bipartisan support was “heartening” ahead of this planned overseas delegation at the end of August. He first raised the idea of hosting the Quad publicly in July.
“We are in lock-step and I intend to take that pitch directly to business and political leaders in India and Japan later this month,” he said.
“I’m serious about securing the extraordinary opportunities our major trading partners can provide for communities right across our state as we push our way on to the world stage.
“We’re on the doorstep of something very special in this state, and I believe if we can get Queensland to be the Q in the Quad, it will better protect our lifestyle through a stronger economy.”
The two leaders, both of Italian heritage, have previously boasted about their strong relationship and “cannoli diplomacy”.
A report released last month revealed the Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to drive a $71bn boost in Queensland’s gross domestic product in the two decades following the month-long sporting event if the government invests in driving economic reform.
Southeast Queensland alone could generate $40m in extra gross regional project.
Construction is yet to begin on major venues of the Games, including the centrepiece 63,000-seat stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.
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