Brisbane Lord Mayor quits 2032 Olympics Forum

The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, has resigned from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum, saying the Queensland Government had “completely lost its way” on the road to the Games.

In a statement published over the weekend, Lord Mayor Schrinner said he would be resigning from the Forum with immediate effect, adding that he will no longer “fall in line” and support the Queensland Government’s current plans for the$2.7 billion rebuilding of Brisbane’s Gabba as the main Games venue, insisting there “must be better options” than demolishing and rebuilding the inner-city venue.

In a lengthy statement, the Liberal National Mayor said the Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum was “a dysfunctional farce” and “a pointless talkfest established to placate key stakeholders while all the real decisions are made by the state government behind closed doors”.

He added “it’s clear that the Games have become more about overpriced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions.

“The state government’s ham-fisted and foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers for tens of millions of dollars for a new RNA stadium was the final straw.”

Following last month’s approval of plans for a complete redevelopment of the Gabba, Lord Mayor Schrinner last week broke ranks with the Queensland Government over a $137 million redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds’ Main Arena, with a view to it becoming the temporary home of the AFL’s Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket while The Gabba is redeveloped.

Having previously supported the plan, Lord Mayor Schrinner was unhappy with the financial contribution expected of Brisbane City Council.

Lord Mayor Schrinner’s statement added “the Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Brisbane and Queensland. But unless the State Government’s approach changes, this opportunity will be squandered through mismanagement. I believe that the (Queensland) Government has completely lost its way on the road to the Games.

“This has put the promised legacy for our city, our region and our state in serious jeopardy. Ever since the Premier and I travelled to Tokyo together to secure the 2032 Games, I have been a committed team player, despite numerous setbacks and political differences.

“I have done this because I strongly believed that only by working together can we stage the best-ever Games and deliver a legacy that benefits all residents. However, it’s clear that the Games have become more about over-priced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions.”

In response, Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said that he was “taken by surprise” by the announcement, adding that it was the state’s responsibility to find a new home for the Lions and Queensland Cricket and that the Lord Mayor has previously supported the redevelopment of The Gabba.

Images: Concept for the main entrance to a redeveloped Gabba (top, credit: Queensland Government) and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner (below).