Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Sport
Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate

Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development
Leader of The Nationals in the Senate

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 17 February 2023

Labor Must Get on with Building Olympic Games Assets

The Commonwealth and Queensland Labor governments must get on with the task of building Olympic Games infrastructure after months of standstill and inaction.

Construction on key 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and transport infrastructure assets has been delayed by months of unproductive wrangling between the Prime Minister and the Queensland Premier.

Concerns remain around the ability of the two governments to deliver Games venues and transport infrastructure on-time and on-budget unless a joint oversight body is established to keep projects on track and ensure Australian taxpayers receive value for money.

A joint body, as demanded by the Coalition Government as part of the 50/50 funding deal for the Brisbane Olympic Games, would ensure appropriate oversight by reviewing all major sporting infrastructure spending.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said questions remain about the controversial Gabba redevelopment and whether new games venues and critical road and rail projects would be built in time for the Olympics.

“The State Labor Government are prioritising a project which was not a requirement of the international Olympics committee and not a condition precedent to the Games being awarded to Brisbane.

“Disappointingly, nothing was said today of whether the Albanese Government will backflip on its budget cuts and delays to construction of public transport projects to bring people to the Games, such as the Sunshine Coast rail extension to Maroochydore, the Gold Coast Rail line to Beenleigh and the new Woolloongabba Station.”

Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Anne Ruston said both the Federal and State Government’s need to be planning for the future when it comes to the Brisbane Olympics by investing in legacy sporting facilities that will benefit all Queenslanders for years to come.

“The 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games will be an amazing celebration of elite sporting talent, but we do not want to see it end there.”

At this week’s Senate Estimates, officials were forced to stonewall questions on Games’ event venue details and whether Commonwealth funds would deliver legacy sporting facilities.

“It appears Australian taxpayers will be paying the $2.5 billion for the Queensland Premier’s dream of a massive live music arena in Brisbane, under the guise of a Games venue to host swimming events in a temporary pool.

“Labor must explain how future generations of Queenslanders will benefit from a temporary drop-in swimming pool, instead of investing in upgrades to the existing Brisbane Aquatic Centre to cater for the Games’ elite swimming events.

“The Coalition will continue to have questions for both governments when it comes to money well spent, on-time delivery of projects and the creation of elite sporting assets for future generations of Queenslanders.” Senator Ruston said.

ENDS