Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Introduced the bill as Deputy Premier, arguing it delivers on election commitments to establish an independent 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure, reintroduce 24-hour notice for union workplace entry, and repeal the Path to Treaty Act to redirect funds to practical outcomes for First Nations communities.

“Queenslanders voted for a fresh start and the Crisafulli government's plan to end Labor's 1,200 days of games chaos with an independent infrastructure and coordination authority tasked with developing an implementation plan within 100 days.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

As Leader of the Opposition, strongly opposed the bill's passage without committee scrutiny, arguing the Premier treated the House with contempt on his first day, failed to show dignity and respect to First Nations people regarding Path to Treaty repeal, and that workplace safety changes will put workers at risk.

“Today is the day we learned David Crisafulli's word was worth nothing, the day Queensland's Indigenous Youth Parliament saw this government's true colours, the day the LNP reverted to type—the very first day of this new parliament.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

As Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, defended repealing the Path to Treaty Act, arguing Queenslanders voted for this position, the Truth-telling Inquiry became a 'lawyers' picnic' spending 48% on legal fees, and funds should go to practical Closing the Gap outcomes in remote communities.

“When 68 per cent of Queenslanders voted against the Voice referendum last year, this Premier and this government was listening. Our position to repeal the Path to Treaty was clear throughout the election campaign.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, particularly the Path to Treaty repeal, arguing the Premier has 'trashed the relationship between the First Peoples of this state and the Queensland government' after the Path to Treaty was passed with bipartisan support, and criticised the lack of consultation with the Truth-telling Inquiry chair.

“Today these young people witnessed the Crisafulli LNP government undermine any future relationship between First Peoples of this state and the Queensland government.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Opposed the bill, describing it as cruel, mean spirited and a trashing of democratic law-making processes. Criticised the gagging of debate, the workplace safety changes that will make 'already dangerous workplaces even more dangerous', and the manner in which Path to Treaty was repealed.

“The now Premier said at the time that this will be done with dignity and respect, but what has been delivered is brutality and disdain.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Expressed mixed views: supported repealing Path to Treaty (KAP opposed it originally in Cairns), but criticised the Olympics as diverting billions from regional infrastructure. Noted the new authority's transparency on expenditure was positive, but called the games a 'two-week party' robbing regional Queensland.

“One good thing coming out of this is that at least regional Queensland will be able to see how many billions of dollars are being robbed from it for a two-week party in the south-east corner.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing Labor was woefully underprepared for Olympic infrastructure, the 24-hour notice for workplace entry aligns with federal Fair Work Act, and Path to Treaty repeal will allow focus on practical outcomes rather than divisive policies that failed to close the gap.

“The pathway under the former state Labor government was always one that would only lead to more division and not one that has ever focused on improving real and practical outcomes.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Supported repealing Path to Treaty (KAP was shouted down when opposing it in Cairns) but strongly criticised the Olympics as a Brisbane party while regional infrastructure like dams, roads and Bruce Highway are neglected. Acknowledged the new authority has regional board representation.

“We would not be talking about this if the KAP held the balance of power. After the last state election, we would be forcing the department in this first round not to be talking about the Olympic Games but talking about where are the dams.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Strongly opposed the workplace safety changes, arguing they will put every worker in Queensland 10 years behind and affect workers in hospitals, schools, and all industries - not just the CFMEU. Criticised removal of 'legacy' from the Olympic authority's name and the rushed process.

“These changes that are being rammed through tonight at the dead of midnight do nothing to improve health and safety in this state. I challenge any member opposite to get up on their feet and say that these changes will make workplaces safer.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a sad day for Queensland, arguing the Premier has misled Queenslanders by promising dignity and respect while pushing through legislation that strips workers' rights and axes the Truth-telling Inquiry with no consultation. Called it 'Newman 2.0'.

“When the Premier, David Crisafulli, said that this matter would be handled with respect and dignity, he has clearly misled the people of Queensland.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering legacy infrastructure and regional representation on the Olympic authority (which Labor voted against). Defended sitting late to give opportunity for debate, and argued workers still have the right to stop unsafe work under the amended safety laws.

“Importantly, the LNP is the government for all of Queensland. That is why with this bill we will ensure that the new board authority will have at least one regional representative sitting on it.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Supported repealing Path to Treaty, arguing the money would be better spent on practical infrastructure like roads and groceries for remote communities than a 'smoke bomb' distraction. Strongly opposed the Olympics as inequitable, with billions going to a '17-day party' instead of regional dams and roads.

“I cannot see this as anything but a distraction. Let's face it: there is a lot of politics played where you throw these smoke bombs in the air and say, 'Look at this. This is the big thing we have to concentrate on,' yet you have all the mess down on the ground that is not being dealt with.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering calm, clear direction Queenslanders voted for. Argued Path to Treaty repeal continues a 12-month-old commitment, the Olympics bill fixes 1,200 days of Labor inaction, and workplace safety changes address CFMEU bullying of businesses.

“There have been a number of instances of the CFMEU causing disruption to workplaces. That should not be tolerated in Queensland and it will not be tolerated under this LNP government.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Opposed the bill, contrasting the Premier's beautiful speech supporting Path to Treaty in Cairns with his actions now. Argued the bipartisan legislation was repealed because the Premier saw Voice referendum results and feared losing the election, showing his word means nothing.

“We said to First Nations people that we were on a shared journey, that we were going to have a future and to do that we must understand our past, and that we were on a path to healing and we were not afraid of the truth.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard

Supported the bill, drawing on his electorate's experience with the 2018 Commonwealth Games to emphasise the importance of proper planning for Olympic legacy projects. Cited Queen Street Mall from 1982 as an example of generational legacy infrastructure.

“The Queen Street Mall was a legacy project of the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. It was a legacy project that has seen generation after generation of people coming to this region, and that is why it is so important that we get this right.”— 2024-11-28View Hansard