Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ‘very confident’ of striking Olympics funding deal with federal government

The federal and Queensland governments are in the final stages of renegotiations over $7.1bn of joint funding for the construction of venues for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.

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The federal and Queensland governments are in the final stages of renegotiations over $7.1bn of joint funding for the construction of venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A major review of Games infrastructure plans earlier this year meant the initial funding deal agreed to in 2023 had to be re-struck after the federally funded $2.5bn Brisbane Arena was scrapped in favour of new venues across the state, including a centrepiece stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.

Negotiations stalled in May due to the federal election, but Premier David Crisafulli said he was “extremely” confident a deal for the $7.1bn envelope would be sealed.

The Liberal National Party government’s first budget on Tuesday counted the $7.1bn into government coffers despite not having an agreement, with $3.8bn allocated over the next four years to deliver major ­venues.

It also revealed four more years of deficit, with debt ­blowing out to more than $200bn for the first time in the 2028-29 financial year to pay for its “front-loaded” record infrastructure rollout, which includes Olympic venues.

Mr Crisafulli was positive about securing support from ­Anthony Albanese after their meeting.

“We’ve had really good negotiations,” Mr Crisafulli said on Wednesday.

“We’re very, very confident, extremely.”

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie had also met with federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, whose office echoed Mr Crisafulli’s comments.

“Negotiations with the Queensland government have been progressing positively, and we are hopeful of coming to an agreement,” a spokesman for Ms King said.

“We want a commonsense approach to the Games, and we are confident this can be achieved.”

The budget did not reveal the exact costings for major venues, including the 63,000-seat ­Victoria Park Stadium and the nearby National Aquatic Centre, despite the multibillion-dollar outlay.

Mr Crisafulli said the government was focusing on the smaller regional venues first.

The Premier also recommitted to delivering the venues within the $7.1bn agreement, which was signed in 2023.

Based on an average of inflation rises forecast in the state budget, costs will exceed $8bn by 2029.

It comes as the Crisafulli ­government’s planning law overhaul, which would fast-track Olympic projects by making them all “legal”, was expected to pass late on Wednesday ­evening.

Legal experts criticised the omnibus planning and renewable energy bill, warning that the “hazily drafted” laws could be unconstitutional.

At a post-budget fundraising lunch on Wednesday, Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki said he had written to Jim Chalmers on Tuesday asking to be invited to the federal Treasurer’s August ­productivity roundtable.

However, he told Mr Crisafulli at the event that he didn’t like their chances.

“My understanding is it’s a pretty small room – so it’s unlikely, Premier – but I’m trying my best to get us there,” Mr Janetzki said.