MEDIA STATEMENT: A Fresh Start for Queensland: 2032 Games out of the blocks and finally on the track after three years of false starts  

Published Friday, 29 November, 2024 at 12:56 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Veterans
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie

A Fresh Start for Queensland: 2032 Games out of the blocks and finally on the track after three years of false starts  

  • The Premier has today announced Board appointments for the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority and confirmed the 100 Day Review has commenced.  
  • The seven-member Board will be chaired by Stephen Conry AM and include directors with a proven track record of delivering major projects. 
  • The Directors have been selected through a streamlined selection process to avoid any further delay, additional capacity for a further two appointments enabled.
  • New interim CEO of the Authority Mr David Hourigan also appointed to lead the newly empowered Authority. 

The Crisafulli Government has today fired the starting gun on the 100 Day Review for the Games, after announcing the seven-member Board who will conduct it. 

Today marks day one of 100, with the Board expected to hand down a comprehensive implementation plan including venues, transport infrastructure and governance for the 2032 Games.  

Focuses for the 100 Day Review will include integration across venues, transport systems, athlete villages, and precincts, while evaluating demand, affordability, deliverability, and overall impact to maximise social, economic, and environmental outcomes. 

The announcement follows the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority legislation passing the Parliament last night, being assented to this morning. 

The Board appointees are: 

  • Stephen Conry AM (Chair) – over 40 years’ experience in executive positions in the property industry in Australia and globally. 

  • Jess Caire (Director) – Executive Director of the Queensland Division of the Property Council of Australia with extensive experience working with the Queensland property industry. 

  • Tony Cochrane AM (Director) – an experienced director and chair, working in the sporting, events and entertainment industries for over 45 years. 

  • Jill Davies (Director) – 28 years’ experience in securing, planning and delivering Olympic and Paralympic Games across five continents and multiple cities, including Sydney 2000. 

  • Jamie Fitzpatrick (Director) – highly respected leader in North Queensland, with over 30 years’ experience spanning across the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. 

  • Sue Johnson (Director) – over 20 years’ experience developing, funding, constructing, and operating complex legacy infrastructure. 

  • Laurence Lancini AM (Director) – founder and Executive Chairman of Lancini Property Group and has overseen construction and property development across Queensland, including Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Yeppoon and Brisbane. 

Mr David Hourigan joins as Interim CEO of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority having most recently been the Chief Safety and Productivity Officer for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.  

He is an experienced senior executive with extensive experience in the Queensland Government in policy development, service delivery and in the transport sector, as well as in independent regulatory roles. 

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering the Fresh Start promised to end more than 1200 days of Labor Games chaos, and get it back on track.  

“Today we fire the starters gun on Brisbane 2032, this is day 1 of 100 in fixing the Games chaos and locking in a plan for the world’s biggest event,” Premier Crisafulli said.  

“We’re out of the blocks and finally on the track after three years of false starts.  

“Seven experts in their fields will help guide planning for a world class Games we can be proud of, and a legacy future generations will rely on.  

“Today marks the end of the embarrassing chaos and the start of a groundswell of pride in 2032. 

“Queensland will deliver a world-class event and lasting legacy for all.  

“We will put Queensland back on the path to victory for 2032.” 

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Board would now get on with the task of the 100 Day Review. 

“We asked Queenslanders for 100 days to fix this mess and that’s what we’re delivering,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.  

“The Board will now get on with preparing for a world-class event driving economic growth into the regions, once in a generation infrastructure.  

“This Board has the right mix of skills, experience and regional representation to get the job done and I look forward to working with them to ensure all of Queensland benefits from the Games. 

“The Review will identify the infrastructure required to fulfill the Games’ vision while aligning with long-term planning, budget priorities, and legacy objectives.  

“The LNP’s 100 day plan to appoint an Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority to conduct a review and map out infrastructure and transport needs for Queensland and the Games, and report in 100 days is officially delivered.  

“It’s now time to get the Games back on track.” 

Following completion of the 100 Day Review and the report being considered by Government, the Board will lead the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s delivery of new and upgraded venues that will be in use ahead of, during and beyond the Games in 2032. 

ENDS
Terms of reference for the 100 Day Review available at: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/brisbane-2032 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Premier: Amanda Templeton 0417 657 437 

Deputy Premier: Gregory Thomson 0447 221 816