The Prime Minister’s representative for the 2032 Olympic Games Ted O’Brien MP today urged the Queensland Government to back a South East Queensland campaign for the Olympics “boots-and-all”.
“It’s essential that Team Australia be united behind the bid to secure the 2032 Olympic Games,” Mr O’Brien said.
“While I welcome Queensland’s commitment to match the Commonwealth’s $10 million to investigate a bid, the Palaszczuk Government needs to join the Federal Government and local SEQ mayors backing the bid 100 per cent so the starting gun can be fired in the race for the 2032 games.”
Mr O’Brien said while he’s hopeful the Queensland Government will eventually get out of the blocks and fully back the bid, the Federal Government had already been working on the games campaign.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made it clear he’s in boots-and-all and the reservations of the Queensland Government puts at risk our ability to secure first mover advantage ahead of rival bidders,” he said.
“There really is no time to waste. There is no doubt the International Olympic Committee and potential hosts have been watching the State Government move at a glacial pace and any hesitancy undermines our pitch to host the Games.
“We need to show the IOC exactly how much SEQ is embracing this golden opportunity.
“I’ll be seeking to contact Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today to discuss the bid.”
Mr O’Brien said the governance structure around the bid team needed to be determined, an economic feasibility study competed and work to begin on a SEQ proposal including infrastructure requirements.
“The great thing is we already have a mechanism in place uniting the three tiers of government on infrastructure, and that is the SEQ City Deal and negotiations on that deal are underway,” he said.