The 2032 Olympic Games is supposed to be Brisbane’s crowning glory and a $2.7 billion redeveloped Gabba stadium the jewel in that crown, hosting the Opening Ceremony, athletics and more.
But Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is now calling for other options to be explored.
Schrinner sensationally quit the Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders Forum calling it a “pointless talkfest”.
“I think the State Government’s game playing is jeopardising the games. And they are quickly losing the support of the people of Queensland,” he said.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said it was “a bit bewildering,” adding “but I’m starting to expect backflips from the Lord Mayor.”
In 2021, the Premier and Lord Mayor put their political rivalry aside travelling to Tokyo as a united front to bid for the Games, which they won.
But they’re clearly no longer on the same team.
He referred to plans revealed on Friday to upgrade RNA showgrounds into a temporary arena to host cricket and Aussie Rules Football while the Gabba is being worked on, with Brisbane City Council asked to help cover $91 million in costs.
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“The game playing that happened last week was the final straw,” he said, calling for an Independent body to oversee Brisbane’s preparations like there was in Sydney 2000 London 2012.
“It’s clear we weren’t at the decision making table because the decisions were being made in secret behind closed doors,” he said.
“We have to get the games back on track and it has to be done through an Independent authority.”
It’s something the Palaszczuk government initially promised, before changing its mind.
Despite their differences in opinion the State Government says the door is still open for Schrinner to have a seat back at the table but whether that happens is still to be seen.
As for where the Gabba and RNA redevelopments stand, the Tourism and Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says he has meetings with the RNA, AFL and Cricket planned in coming days.
