LNP calls for independent oversight of budget for 2032 Brisbane Olympics

David Crisafulli has called on the Queensland government to return to its Olympic bid commitment and establish an independent body to manage the Games’ $7bn budget.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: David Clark

The LNP in Queensland has urged the Palas­zczuk government to revive plans for an independent agency to oversee the multibillion-dollar capital works spend for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The state Labor government earlier this year walked away from a commitment to the International Olympic Committee – the Games’ custodian – to establish an independent organising body in favour of an “in-house” department to oversee the current $7bn budget.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli on Wednesday said the current model was a risk to transparency and cost management. “On behalf of all Queenslanders, we are demanding today the Palaszczuk government immediately deliver an independent infrastructure delivery authority, that the games be focused on the generational infrastructure that this state needs and that the culture of cost overruns is ended in the state,” he said.

“Since securing the Games, it’s all been about how much power can the state government seize … no one wins when that occurs.”

His call follow the Victorian government’s decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games on the back of a threefold increase in delivery costs.

The notion was rejected by the Palaszczuk government on the grounds independent oversight would require additional funds.

“The governance model for Brisbane 2032 has been endorsed by Games Partners, including the Vice-President of the IOC who said it is fit for purpose and cuts red tape,” a spokesman said.

“Another body adds costs and saves not a single dollar having to provide wages for a CEO, staff, accommodation and other costs.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles in March confirmed the government would take control of the Games’ joint state and federal funding through the nine-year lead-up, thereby scrapping a key promise of independent oversight that formed part of the pitch to organisers.

The move received backing from Olympics powerbroker John Coates.

In the wake of Victoria’s decision on Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backed in the Olympics, saying the event would be delivered on budget.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. Picture: AFP

IOC boss Thomas Bach said he was put at ease. In an effort to distance staging of the 28-sport Olympic Games from the much smaller Commonwealth Games, Mr Bach said: “I don’t have any concerns for the Olympic Games’’.

The state government is yet to outline the scale and cost of projects to be delivered under the “new normal” of Games management. The cost of the first major project to be announced, the redevelopment of the Gabba in Brisbane, has already tripled from $1bn to $2.7bn in less than two years.

Ms Palaszczuk put the inflated figure down to higher construction costs.

The federal government has been charged with building the $2.5bn 17,000-seat Brisbane Arena on the outskirts of the CBD, which will act as the Olympics swimming arena before being converted into an entertainment venue after the Games.

Mr Bach insisted the Games “optimisation model” with balanced budgets and sustainable solutions had put financing of future Olympics “in a solid way”.

Mr Crisafulli said he was growing increasingly concerned with the lack of detail around the generational infrastructure elements promised alongside the Games.

“There has been no discussion about roads, and rail, and housing and water and a 20-year tourism vision from the state government since the Games has been secured,: he said.

“The only discussion we have heard come out of George Street has been about sporting stadiums, and the refusal of the state government to allow other people to come around and make sure that infrastructure is delivered on time and on budget.”

Mr Bach insisted his organisation predicted the post-Covid-19 economic crises and challenges, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “We have to concentrate on the essentials and this is what we are doing with the Olympic and Paralympic Games’’.