Document proves the LNP sought legal advice to scrap the Games

Months after the LNP denied ever requesting legal advice to scrap the Commonwealth Games, Minister Kate Jones has today released the proof to the public.

The legal document provided to the LNP and released today revealed; “The damages [for scrapping the Games] would be the unpaid payments to the CGF and an amount equal to the cost of hosting the Games elsewhere to a similar standard.”

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the LNP had questions to answer as to why they purposefully lied to the people of Queensland about the legal advice sought under the Newman Government.

“The LNP want to continue to lie to the people of Queensland but frankly, it’s not good enough,” Ms Jones said.

“The emails we’ve obtained prove legal advice was sought under the Newman Government to see if they could scrap the Commonwealth Games or take the event off the Gold Coast.

“Deb Frecklington and Jann Stuckey both went on-the-record at the time, openly denying the legal advice existed – today proves that they were lying through their teeth.

“Deb and her mates were more than willing to enjoy the Games but now we find out they were trying to kill the event from the very start.

“How can the people of Queensland ever trust Deb Frecklington or the LNP again?”

Ms Jones said the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast had been a great success.

“This is an event that the experts say will generate $4 billion for our economy,” she said.

“Recently, we announced a series of Big Bash League cricket matches at Metricon Stadium set to generate more than $12 million for the city over the next few years - this is a great legacy of the Commonwealth Games.

“I’m also proud to say all Gold Coast Games venues are booked out for the rest of the year and booking hours at newly constructed and upgraded venues will double from 25,779 in 2017-18 to 51,561 in 2018-19.”

ENDS

Media contact: 0419 620 447