Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill establishes the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, a new statutory body to build and deliver venues, monitor athlete villages, and coordinate government responsibilities for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The authority operates at arms-length from government with an independent board, but the State guarantees any financial shortfall when it is wound up after the Games.
Who it affects
South-east Queensland residents are most affected, particularly landowners near Games venues who face potential compulsory acquisition, local councils who can be directed to deliver transport infrastructure, and taxpayers who ultimately underwrite the costs.
Key changes
- Creates the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority as a statutory body with up to 7 independent board directors, responsible for delivering venues and coordinating Games obligations across all levels of government
- Gives the authority power to compulsorily acquire land for venues and villages, with compensation processes but limited rights of judicial review (only on grounds of jurisdictional error)
- Allows the Minister to declare venue or village development as 'accepted development' by regulation, bypassing standard planning approval processes when normal pathways would delay delivery
- Requires the authority to prepare a transport and mobility strategy within 18 months, and empowers it to direct state agencies and local councils to provide or maintain critical transport infrastructure
- The State becomes successor in law when the authority is dissolved after the Games, inheriting all remaining assets, liabilities and contractual obligations
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee17 Apr 2024View Hansard
Referred to Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee
The Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee examined the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024 over one month, receiving 18 submissions and holding a public hearing. The committee recommended the bill be passed, and also recommended that the Government consider adding the Gold Coast Mayor to the Brisbane Organising Committee Board. The Government supported both recommendations. A dissenting report from Katter's Australian Party opposed the bill entirely, and LNP opposition members filed a statement of reservation raising concerns about delegation of powers, restricted review rights, and transparency.
Key findings (5)
- The bill establishes the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority as a statutory body to deliver venues and coordinate government obligations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Stakeholders were broadly supportive of establishing an independent Authority, which had been consistently called for since the Games were awarded.
- The committee examined significant planning, land acquisition, and transport direction powers granted to the Authority, finding them justified by the need for timely Games delivery.
- The City of Gold Coast argued it should have representation on the Brisbane Organising Committee Board given its significant investment as a Games delivery partner.
- The Office of the Information Commissioner raised concerns about the Authority's exemption from Right to Information requirements, which were not fully resolved during the inquiry.
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024 be passed.
- The committee recommends that the Queensland Government consider amending Clause 12 of the Bill to include the Gold Coast Mayor as a member of the Board for the Brisbane Organising Committee.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading23 May 2024View Hansard
That the bill be now read a second time
Party VoteVote to advance the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill to the committee stage. Resolved in the affirmative under standing order 106(10) without a recorded division, with LNP, ALP supporting and KAP opposed.
The motion passed.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
▸17 members spoke15 support1 oppose1 mixed
As minister, moved the bill and defended the government's record on Olympic preparations, arguing that Queensland is well ahead of schedule and that the delivery authority will ensure venues are delivered on time with legacy benefits for all of Queensland.
“No matter where one lives—whether it is in Far North Queensland, out west, in Central Queensland, in any town or place—if anyone in this House does not have the vision to see what the Olympic and Paralympic Games can deliver for this state then they have no vision at all, in my view.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as it adopted the LNP's longstanding call for an independent delivery authority, but heavily criticised the government for wasting 1,037 days without establishing one. Moved amendments requiring regional representation on the board and a 100-day infrastructure review.
“We are asking the people of Queensland to give the LNP 100 days to fix what the Labor Party has bungled in over 1,000 days.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
As committee chair, commended the bill and highlighted that legacy is embedded as a core principle of the authority. Noted the bill requires a transport and mobility plan within 18 months and a games coordination plan within 12 months.
“I believe every Queenslander is proud that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held here in 2032.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill but raised concerns about the authority's exemption from the Right to Information Act and the delegation of powers to unspecified persons, criticising the lack of transparency and accountability.
“At the end of the day, documents created by the authority will be exempt from the RTI process, and that travels with that document.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted existing legacy programs including Go for Gold school grants, You for 2032 talent identification, and Q2032 procurement strategy. Expressed hope that Bundaberg would play a role in the games.
“After securing the Olympics, its legacy is already well and truly underway.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Opposed the Olympics entirely on behalf of KAP, arguing the costs are unjustifiable when regional Queensland lacks basic road, health and education infrastructure. Noted past Olympic Games have averaged $26 billion in costs.
“The KAP wholeheartedly rejects the notion of holding the Olympics given the costs involved.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Commended the bill as a positive step forward, emphasising the collaborative nature of the games delivery with nine delivery partners and highlighting existing legacy achievements including You for 2032, Q2032 procurement, and Elevate 2042.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as the minister has said. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the Olympics and the coordination authority but criticised the government for wasting nearly three years without establishing one. Argued public sentiment has soured due to the government's chaotic handling of venue decisions and called for proper legacy for sporting organisations.
“This coordination authority is important—in fact, it is vital. We will support it.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
As Minister for Tourism and Sport, focused on regional benefits including Barlow Park upgrades in Cairns and Sunshine Coast venues. Highlighted the tourism opportunity with the games forecast to inject $4.6 billion and generate 91,000 full-time-equivalent jobs.
“I am more than confident, unlike some of those opposite, that we will provide a first-class Olympic Games and that this state will reap significant benefits.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the Olympics but expressed frustration that the government's 1,000 days of inaction and mixed messages had turned regional Queenslanders against the games. Backed the LNP amendment for a regional representative on the board.
“I support the Olympics and think they will be a fantastic event for Queensland. I am so proud that our capital city, Brisbane, is holding those Olympics.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, reminding members that the Labor government delivered the Commonwealth Games on time and under budget. Highlighted legacy infrastructure from the 1982 Commonwealth Games still in use at Chandler.
“We delivered the Commonwealth Games on time and under budget. Do members know what those opposite did when they had three short years in government? They tried to get out of the Commonwealth Games.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the LNP amendments and criticised the government for failing to plan transport infrastructure, particularly the 20-kilometre gap between the Caloundra rail terminus and the Maroochydore athletes' village, and dropping the Mooloolah River Interchange project.
“What a pack of headless chooks this government is! It has been an absolute mess. They have wasted three years and now they need another 18 months to work out what the transport plan needs to be.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill, noting the committee recommendation that it be passed and highlighting the authority's role in delivering venues on time and within budget while maximising legacy.
“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games continue to be an issue of intense interest to Queenslanders.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Welcomed the establishment of an independent authority but raised serious concerns about planning override powers, RTI exemptions, lack of community consultation, and the potential for the Olympics to worsen the housing crisis through displacement and gentrification.
“We are being told to just trust that these powers will be vested in this authority for the purpose of building Olympics venues and meeting the requirements of the Host City Contract as opposed to what Queenslanders actually need in the best interests of everyday people.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill and the Olympics, noting legacy benefits already flowing to local sporting clubs and correcting claims about lack of consultation with Kangaroo Point Rovers soccer club.
“Our entire state will stand with pride when the Olympic torch is lit in our state, and we will stand with pride when the Paralympians show us what real triumph looks like.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as a committee member but criticised the 1,000-day delay in establishing the authority. Raised concerns about RTI exemptions and supported both LNP amendments for regional representation and a 100-day review.
“This independent delivery authority should have been delivered within 100 days of the announcement or shortly thereafter so that some sensible plans could have been put in place.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
Supported the bill, praising the holistic approach of the delivery authority across the city, region and state, and noting legacy benefits extending to unofficial venues that would host visiting delegations.
“The establishment of the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority is an exciting and significant next step to what I believe will be a brilliant Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.”— 2024-05-23View Hansard
▸In Detail23 May 2024View Hansard
Amendment 1: Added the mayor of the Gold Coast City Council as a member of the Organising Committee board, in line with the committee's recommendation recognising the Gold Coast's significant role as a Games delivery partner.
Amendment 1: Sought to add a requirement that the authority ensure the games deliver legacy benefits for all of Queensland, including regional areas.
Amendment 2: Removed the words 'take reasonable steps to' from section 53AM(4)(b), strengthening the requirement that the authority cannot impose obligations on games delivery partners that are materially different from the Host City Contract.
Amendment 2: Required at least one director of the authority board to live in a regional area to ensure regional Queensland representation in Olympic planning.
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on LNP amendment moved by Mr Bleijie requiring at least one director of the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority board to live in a regional area, to ensure regional Queensland has a voice in Olympic planning. Defeated 30-45 with LNP voting in favour and ALP voting against.
The motion was defeated.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (30)
Noes (45)
Amendment 3: Minor drafting amendment to clause 29 regarding the interim CEO's powers, ensuring the interim CEO can perform the authority's functions properly and efficiently including entering into substantive contracts.
Assent date: 6 June 2024