Legislation passes baton to Games Authority

• Legislation has been passed to establish an independent games delivery authority
• Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority will deliver the new and upgraded venues that will be used during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, and the legacy program
• Authority will begin operations in July, operating at arms-length from government
• Interim CEO due to be appointed in the coming weeks
• Advertisement for up to seven independent directors will soon commence – directors will be selected by CEOs of the nine Games Delivery Partners
• Authority to continue building on extensive work already undertaken to deliver venues and prepare for the Games
• Government also accepts committee recommendation to appoint Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Board

Queensland Parliament today passed the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Amendment Bill 2024, establishing an independent Games delivery authority, delivering on a promise Steven Miles made when he became Premier.

It will deliver new and upgraded venues which will be used during the Games and provide significant community benefit right across Queensland.

Establishing the Authority as a statutory body under legislation will enable it to operate at arms-length from government. It will have control over its own funds, have operational independence, and operate within a flexible structure, while being subject to public sector accountability and scrutiny.  

An interim CEO is due to be appointed shortly and advertisement for up to seven independent directors to the Board that will oversee the authority will soon commence, with appointments expected in September.

Initial tasks of the Authority will include the continued roll out of procurement for new and upgraded venues, delivery of a Games Coordination Plan, to be in place within 12 months of the authority’s establishment, and a Transport and Mobility Strategy within 18 months.

The legislation ensures the Authority’s Board will be truly independent. The Bill outlines a requirement for a selection panel, compromised of CEOs from the nine Games Delivery Partners to choose who will be on the Board. The Government will then ratify this decision and carry out the formal process of appointing the Board.

The Bill makes no changes to the RTI Act, or the way it is applied. The Authority will not be exempt from the Act.

Provisions were included in the 2021 legislation, which was passed with bipartisan support, at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee to ensure certain sensitive commercial, financial, operational information under its control – like international sponsorships – remains confidential. These provisions will only apply to specific information in documents created or received by the Organising Committee. 

The Miles Government has also accepted the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation to appoint Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board in recognition that the Gold Coast will be the most significant location outside of Brisbane during the Games, providing six competition venues that will host twelve events and a 2,600 person Athlete’s Village.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Queensland now has the best possible framework in place for our continued delivery of government activities to support the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Authority will now deliver the venues that will be used in 2032 and beyond, while being overseen by a truly independent board, whose members will be selected by the CEOs of the nine Games Delivery partners.

“The Authority will build on the extensive work this government has done since being awarded the Games, and now we’re handing the baton on so we can keep making great strides in our achievements for Queensland.

“I’m pleased to be accepting the recommendation to appoint the Gold Coast Mayor to the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board.

“Tom Tate has been a champion for the Olympic and Paralympic Games since day one and will make an experienced and enthusiastic addition to the Organising Committee.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“All eyes are going to be on Queensland in 2032, and we are going to put on a Games to be proud of that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.

“The Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority is the right model for a collaborative and cooperative approach to getting this done, and will build on all the progress we’ve already made.

“This includes establishing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, signing a historic $7.1 billion investment agreement with the Commonwealth, launching our Q2032 Procurement Strategy with $180 billion of opportunities for Queensland businesses, standing up the Legacy Committee which has contributed to the Elevate 2042 strategy, committed $100 million to schools through Go for Gold, secured $2.75 billion from the Commonwealth Government for the Sunshine Coast Rail Line, and launched You for 2032, Australia’s largest ever athlete talent identification program..

“We are also making fantastic progress on venues: details of the first $560 million of contracts for the Sunshine Coast and Chandler - supporting 1,000 jobs – are now in the market, with more already scheduled for later this year and into 2025.”

Quotes attributable to the President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, Andrew Liveris:

“The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee looks forward to working with the independent Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, who will oversee the development of legacy venues and infrastructure that will be used for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“As a statutory body, the Authority will have the operational structure that best supports delivery of long-term sporting and community legacies across Brisbane and Queensland. 

“The Authority will also have a close connection and working relationship with the Organising Committee, ensuring timelines, budgets and resources fulfil the Host Contract obligations.”

“The Games will be the biggest event in Queensland’s history, and I have every confidence the new Authority will be focused on achieving positive social and economic benefits across the state for generations to come.”

Further information:

The nine Games Delivery partners are:

• The Queensland Government;
• the Commonwealth Government;
• the Brisbane City Council;
• the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee;
• the Sunshine Coast Council;
• the City of Gold Coast;
• the Australian Olympic Committee;
• Paralympics Australia;
• Council of Mayors (SEQ) Pty Ltd.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211