The second interim report into Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games was tabled in the Senate today revealing greater oversight is needed for the infrastructure, sporting and legacy opportunities in Queensland.
Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie said evidence to the Committee revealed broad concerns for infrastructure and transport planning decisions for Brisbane 2032.
“If the shambolic 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games have shown us anything, it is the need for adequately funded and planned infrastructure projects that give major events the best chance of success,” Senator McKenzie said.
“There are already calls for the Queensland Government to scrap the 2032 Olympics, which highlights the need for greater scrutiny and oversight for the planning of the 2032 Olympics.
“Concerns about the timelines of critical transport infrastructure projects like the Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Direct Rail pre-date Minister King’s chaotic Infrastructure Review.
“On top of that, there are now legitimate concerns for Albanese’s Brisbane Live Arena, which the Government has been embarrassed to admit they are considering locating at the site of Queensland Police Headquarters.
“More than ever, the Australian public expect their government to be upfront with spending decisions. Communities should be confident that a taxpayer funded Olympics is to their benefit.”
Senator Canavan said that the government needs to make sure that the Queensland Premier keeps her promise that the Olympics will benefit all of Queensland and promote options for regional sporting events.
“Rather than build temporary stadiums in Brisbane during the Gabba redevelopment we should be using the infrastructure we’ve already got, like using the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay for Cricket and AFL.
“Using these regional venues will make sure that it’s not just the South-East Corner benefiting, but that we see the benefits flowing to our regional areas, who would more than love to host larger sporting events and show off the beauty of regional Queensland.”
The report recommends that the Federal Government works alongside the Queensland Government to conduct a review into the benefits and opportunities on offer across regional Queensland, as well as establishing a funding program to ensure areas outside of South East Queensland receive equitable funding for essential infrastructure and community facilities.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Anne Ruston called out the Albanese Government for failing to stand up for athlete’s interests by not providing any safeguards for the legacy opportunity of the 2032 Olympics.
“We have rural and regional communities wanting to host sports and athletes wanting to compete on home soil, but the only thing that the Labor governments seem focused on is their own passion projects for inner-city Brisbane.
“This adds to our concerns for the national impacts of 2026 Commonwealth Games debacle, which has created significant disadvantages for Australia’s athletes, para-athletes and sporting organisations.
“Our athletes want the opportunity to compete in major international sporting events like the Commonwealth Games on home soil, which is why it is so disappointing that the Government has failed to pursue an Australian solution for the Games.
“The Government must stand up to the Queensland Government and urgently commit to an independent oversight body, to ensure we are well-prepared for the 2032 Olympics and further legacy opportunities for Australian sport are not lost,” Senator Ruston said.
17 recommendations have been made in the Committee’s second interim report.
The committee has agreed to extend the inquiry’s final report deadline to 31 October 2024, to allow a more comprehensive consideration and oversight of Games’ planning decisions.