Olympics: MPs lash Prime Minister over Rockhampton rowing comment
A podcast comment from the Prime Minister questioning whether Rockhampton was the right place to host Olympic Rowing still isn’t going down well with the Beef Capital’s leaders.
Rockhampton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rockhampton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rockhampton leaders have hit back at suggestions by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the city may not be the best place to host the 2032 Olympic rowing events.
Speaking on the Two Good Sports podcast, Mr Albanese recently said there was “a bit of a debate going on” over how the 2032 Olympic Games would look.
In particular, Mr Albanese suggested Rockhampton, which is set to host the rowing events for the 2032 Olympics, may not be the best location after all.
“For example, are we really going to do rowing in Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River when there are some pretty good facilities at Penrith?” he said during the podcast, which at the time was discussing financial viability of hosting major sporting events.
Rockhampton’s state MP Donna Kirkland has since hit back at the comments calling them a slap in the face to Queenslanders, regional Queensland and the people of Rockhampton in particular.
“Let's be done with this, the rowing is going to be held in Rockhampton, on the Fitzroy River and we are very excited about that,” she said.
Ms Kirkland invited the Prime Minister to join her in Rockhampton for a row on the Fitzroy and said it was “absolutely ready to host the Olympic Games.”
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry also joined her state counterpart in condemning Mr Albanese’s remarks and said people wanted to have the rowing events in Central Queensland.
“Once again they (Labor Federal Government) are trying to take everything away from the regions,” she said.
“It's time for us to get our fair share in regional Queensland.”
Mr Albanese’s concerns regarding the viability of holding the 2032 Olympic rowing events in Rockhampton however, are not unique.
Since the announcement was made in early 2025, concerns have been raised regarding everything from crocodiles to high levels of boat destroying water hyacinth and a river current, all of which could pose problems for the Fitzroy passing World Rowing standards.
More Coverage
Originally published as Olympics: MPs lash Prime Minister over Rockhampton rowing comment
‘Put you in a box’: Man’s threat to kill carwash owner
A man who threatened to bash and kill a Central Queensland carwash owner during an ugly confrontation was also busted dealing drugs.
Three in hospital after motorbike vs. car highway crash
Three people have been taken to hospital after a crash between a motorbike and car on a Qld highway.
Emergency crews called to Central Qld truck fire
Traffic control is in place after a prime mover caught fire in Central Queensland.
Texts uncover Qld mum-of-five’s drug trafficking business
A mother-of-five was caught when messages on her mobile phone revealed rampant drug dealing spanning from Central Qld to the Gold Coast.
Woman, 30, killed after buggy rolls on Qld property
A 30-year-old woman has tragically died after a buggy crash which also left a man with head injuries.
‘Cocaine, Snapchat sales’: How hospo manager turned into trafficker
A young Qld drug dealer was making thousands on Snapchat and had offered to supply across the state when a late-night bust at an industrial estate brought her undone.