Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill modernises how Stadiums Queensland, the body that manages the state's major sports venues, is governed and operates. It implements six recommendations from the Stadium Taskforce, which was set up in 2018 after venue hirers raised concerns about costs, operations and infrastructure at stadiums across Queensland.
Who it affects
Sports facility hirers and event organisers should see improved venue management and faster decisions. Communities near stadiums may benefit from new commercial developments like childcare centres or cafes on facility land.
Key changes
- Stadiums Queensland can develop facility land for commercial and community purposes, such as childcare centres or cafes
- Property acquisition and sale approvals shift from the Governor in Council to the Minister for faster decision-making
- The Minister gains power to direct Stadiums Queensland in the public interest, such as supporting the Olympics or emergency responses, with directions reported in annual reports
- Board directors must hold relevant qualifications or at least three years' experience in fields like sports administration, asset management, or law
- Minimum board meetings reduced from 12 to 9 per year
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee17 Aug 2022View Hansard
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
The Economics and Governance Committee examined the Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022, which implements outstanding recommendations from the 2018 Stadium Taskforce requiring changes to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001. The committee received no public submissions and relied on a departmental briefing from the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport. The committee unanimously recommended the bill be passed, finding it compatible with human rights and fundamental legislative principles.
Key findings (5)
- The bill implements six outstanding Stadium Taskforce recommendations that require legislative amendments to modernise Stadiums Queensland's governance and commercial operations.
- No public submissions were received during the inquiry process, with the committee relying solely on the departmental briefing.
- The committee found the bill compatible with human rights, concluding that qualification requirements for board directors represent a reasonable limitation on the right to take part in public life.
- The committee noted the explanatory notes could have been more succinct and precise in presenting information about the expansion of Stadiums Queensland's functions.
- Key reforms include allowing commercial use of declared land, transferring property approval powers from the Governor in Council to the Minister, and granting the Minister power to direct Stadiums Queensland on matters of public interest.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022 be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading26 Oct 2022View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on an amendment to a motion debated between the second reading and consideration in detail stages of the Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill. The amendment was agreed to with government support (46-30).
The motion passed.
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Ayes (46)
Noes (30)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
Vote on the amended motion after the amendment was carried. Passed with the same government majority (46-30).
The motion passed.
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Ayes (46)
Noes (30)
▸20 members spoke19 support1 oppose
As Minister for Sport, introduced and commended the bill to implement Stadium Taskforce recommendations, modernise Stadiums Queensland governance and prepare for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The amendments in this bill allow Stadiums Queensland to become even more agile, community facing and community engaged, allowing the Stadiums Queensland venues to be utilised 365 days a year, not just for major events.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill's objectives to modernise Stadiums Queensland and make it more agile, but raised concerns about the government's slow pace in implementing taskforce recommendations and lack of clarity on Gabba redevelopment costs.
“I totally agree with that principle. It is important that these bodies are agile and flexible and have appropriate authority delegated to them so they can act in a timely way to take advantage of situations.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill as containing sensible changes to prepare Stadiums Queensland for the 2032 Olympics while enabling community use of venues.
“These are sensible, clear, well thought-out changes to ensure our peak sporting facilities—these fields of dreams and Queensland memories—are better administered.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the government's glacial pace in implementing taskforce recommendations and warned this slow approach could threaten 2032 Olympic Games preparations.
“It is one month short of four years since the government received the report, yet it is only now that the government has chosen to act.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
As committee member, supported the bill's provisions to increase commercial opportunities at venues and bring board remuneration into line with other states.
“When I asked the deputy director-general about whether this amendment would see an increase in competition on site for food and retailers catering at major sports events, the answer was yes.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill but raised concerns about the government's slow implementation, the cost blowout of the Gabba redevelopment and the failure to secure naming rights revenue.
“If that is the pace the government is planning to set in planning and running our 2032 Olympic Games, then we are in a spot of bother.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill as modernising Stadiums Queensland governance and enabling commercial and community use of venues. Advocated for regional sporting facilities.
“This bill modernises and contemporises the management of some of the state's largest assets and makes Stadiums Queensland a more agile and responsive agency.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised the four-year delay in implementing taskforce recommendations and advocated for regional sporting facilities in the Gympie electorate.
“Four years to implement the recommendations of the task force shows the government is setting a slow pace to prepare for the Olympics, which is 10 years away.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill's provisions to diversify use of stadium land for commercial and community benefits, highlighting the childcare facility at Metricon as a positive example.
“This endeavour highlights the need for us to be able to get a far better commercial return, not only increasing the economic viability of the organisation but also increasing the ability for that infrastructure to be of better use to the community.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill but advocated strongly for the Sunshine Coast to receive legacy sporting and convention facilities, arguing community-level facilities are as important as showcase venues.
“Those groups told me that they want not just showcase venues but that to develop their sports they need community-based facilities.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting the economic benefits of major sporting facilities and the expected $8.1 billion in benefits from the 2032 Olympics.
“The reforms in this bill will help ensure that Queensland is best positioned to realise the $8.1 billion in infrastructure, economic and social benefits that are associated with the 2032 Olympics.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill, particularly the provisions enabling the minister to direct Stadiums Queensland to support emergency responses such as natural disaster evacuation centres.
“This legislation will provide a clear methodology for enabling more evacuation centres to be stood up in times of natural disasters.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill's objectives but criticised the significant time taken to deliver reforms and expressed concern about the government's lethargic approach to 2032 Olympic planning.
“The Labor state government must fundamentally and comprehensively shift its attitude and commitment to the organisation, planning and prompt delivery of infrastructure and services to support the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill as a timely reform to modernise Stadiums Queensland venues ahead of the 2032 Olympics, enabling them to be more agile and better governed.
“Whether you love to frequent the Gabba, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Lang Park, Carrara stadium, Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Queensland Tennis Centre, Robina stadium, Sleeman Sports Complex or the Townsville stadium, this bill will allow for these facilities to be better placed for the future.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing it is a pathway for commercialisation of public land under the guise of Olympic preparations. Raised concerns about the impact of Gabba redevelopment on East Brisbane State School and Raymond Park.
“To be clear, this is not a bill about sports, this is not a bill about encouraging more people to engage in sports or to get kids into sports; it is about the commercialisation of public land and public facilities.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill, arguing the Olympics are a 40-60 year investment not a two-week event, and defended the broader social benefits of major infrastructure projects.
“This is not an investment for two weeks; this is an investment for the next 40 to 60 years.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the largely administrative bill but criticised the government for inaction on Olympic infrastructure, particularly rail to the Sunshine Coast, and for neglecting local community sporting facilities.
“There is no funding for local sporting clubs that do support significant sporting events.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill, praising the government's investment in community sports across the state and arguing the bill creates important opportunities for commercial use of stadium facilities.
“It is important that we create the opportunity for Stadiums Queensland to have agility, to be progressive and to look at alternative ways to make use of those facilities.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill's commercial outcomes provisions and efforts to make Stadiums Queensland Olympics-ready, but called for greater investment in community sporting infrastructure and regional transport links.
“Potentially, some of our major sporting teams that struggle to fill the entirety of SQ facilities, particularly Lang Park, may be able to continue to play at places like Lang Park at a reduced rate.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Supported the bill, noting it implements outstanding Stadium Taskforce recommendations to enable developmental opportunities at venues.
“This will enable developmental opportunities at Stadiums Queensland venues to generate additional sources of revenue for Stadiums Queensland or its leaseholders and provide broader benefits to the community.”— 2022-10-26View Hansard
Assent date: 31 October 2022