Games Minister: I want people looking forward to this (perhaps chat to the Premier)
The federal government is set to ask for more details after concerns have been raised by the Queensland government’s Brisbane 2032 infrastructure plan.
Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells said it was a shame people were unhappy with the state governmentās decision to ignore an Olympic infrastructure reviewās key recommendations this week.
But she was hopeful a Brisbane Olympic organising committee meeting on Friday would be a step toward the 2032 Games turning into a ācoming of age momentā for Queensland.
āItās a shame that things have come to this point where Queenslanders and Australians are unhappy with where things are at in terms of the preparation for the Games,ā Ms Wells told Nineās Today Show on Thursday.
āWe donāt want that. I want people to be looking forward to this.
āWe are going to need to do more work and work harder to demonstrate to people that we still can make this a coming of age moment in a really special time.ā
The state government was this week forced to deny reports that they sought advice on cancelling the Brisbane Games amid venue cost and public support concerns.
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They were asked by the opposition if they had considered the option at Mondayās cabinet meeting before reportedly backing down when it was discovered it would cost up to $1 billion in compensation and billions more in federal funding.
Former world champion swimmer Cate Campbell has since led a chorus of disapproval by athletes over the state governmentās 2032 venue plan unveiled this week.
Premier Steven Miles ignored an infrastructure reviewās recommendation to build a $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbaneās CBD as the 2032 centrepiece.
The review also warned not to use the 49-year-old Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) for Olympic track and field events due to accessibility and public transport issues.
Mr Miles ruled out the Victoria Park plan and opted to upgrade QSAC for athletics events, Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and revamp the ageing Gabba.
Ms Wells said she would be raising athletesā concerns at the Brisbane Olympic organising committee meeting on Friday.
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āWhen I make decisions as federal sports minister, I am always athlete-led,ā she said.
āSo the moment I hear that athletes are concerned I am concerned as well.
āThat is something I will be raising.ā
Ms Wells said the organising committee meeting will be a chance to talk honestly about āregaining the trust of the peopleā.
She said the federal government will also need more detail on the new infrastructure proposal before an agreement can be struck on funding.
It comes amid questions surrounding QSACās suitability as an Olympic venue.
The review said QSAC would require a $1.6 billion upgrade that was āvery hard to justifyā.
Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said this week QSAC would require up to $500 million in additional funding to fix its transport problems.
Campbell has been a vocal critic of the infrastructure plan and was backed by fellow swimming great Leisel Jones on Thursday.
āThis is our opportunity to really step forward and put Brisbane on the world map and I think we have fumbled it so far,ā she told Nineās Today.
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