The ACA has released a statement to the Queensland Government urging it to consider establishing an independent authority for the delivery of the 2032 Olympic Games – in anticipation of the imminent announcement of a new Premier.
ACA CEO, Jon Davies, said that the decision by the former Premier to establish a coordination office can now be reversed, and that an independent Olympic Delivery Authority can be established to ensure bipartisan political support.
“Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will leave a lasting infrastructure legacy from her time in office but any transition to a new Premier provides an opportunity for fresh thinking on how this is delivered,” Mr Davies said.
“In particular, the incoming Premier should reconsider the baffling decision not to set up an Olympic Delivery Authority.
“To give the games the best possible chance of success, planning must be done at arm’s length from the government and in consultation with all stakeholders.”
Mr Davies said that a transparent approach to decision-making is needed, one that considers the views of everyone involved in making the games a success such as sporting bodies, industry, the International Olympic Committee and all levels of government.
“We need to avoid a scenario where calls are made that lack consensus, like the funding ‘agreement’ for the redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds,” Mr Davies said.
“And there’s another critical factor to consider – the fact that the delivery of Olympic infrastructure is not happening in isolation. From health and water projects to renewables, rail and road upgrades, the state is trying to deliver historic levels of investment in infrastructure.
“The industry nationwide is already grappling with a major worker shortage of more than 200,000 and if work isn’t properly coordinated, we will see hunger games where delivery agencies compete against each other for resources.”
The ACA is calling for the new Premier to establish an independent delivery authority, stating that this move is vital to delivering a cost-effective and well-coordinated event that leaves a lasting legacy for the state.
