SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
SENATOR THE HON MATTHEW CANAVAN
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
MEDIA RELEASE
12 April 2024 |
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SKIRTING OLYMPIC SCRUTINY
The Queensland Government has refused to appear at an inquiry hearing into Australia’s Preparedness to host the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane next week on 17 April 2024.
Both the Queensland Department of Tourism and Sport, and the Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games were invited to give evidence to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee’s inquiry hearing in Brisbane next week.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator McKenzie said the Queensland Government’s decision to refuse the Inquiries invite is hugely disappointing and a little bit suspicious.
“The Queensland Government has turned its back on the responsibility and opportunity to show the Australian public that the planning and delivery of Games infrastructure is under control.
“Premier Miles rejected the recommendations of the independent review he initiated and Australian’s deserve to know why and what his Government has planned instead.
“There are questions for the Queensland Government on the progress and planning of the concerns raised at last year’s Commonwealth and Olympic Games Senate Inquiry regarding the timelines of critical transport infrastructure projects like the Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Direct Rail.
“If the shambolic 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games has taught us anything, it is the need for adequately funded and planned infrastructure projects that give major events the best chance of success, but the state Government’s refusal to appear puts its capability in doubt,” Senator McKenzie said.
The inquiry into Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic games was launched in September last year and is due to report on 31 October 2024 following the cancellation of the Commonwealth games in Victoria.
“If Brisbane is on track to be ready for the 2032 Olympics why is the Queensland Labor Government hiding from any public scrutiny?” Senator Canavan said.
“The Queensland Government has refused the recommendations of the Quirk Review and while still keeping their hand out for funding from the Commonwealth they’re refusing to front up and show that they’ll be ready to deliver.”
The inquiry is due to report to the senate on 31 October this year.
ENDS.
More information about the inquiry can be found here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/PreparednessforGames