Queensland Government dumps Commonwealth Games head Stockwell

Mark Stockwell, who spearheaded the Gold Coast's successful bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has been dumped as Chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

Over the weekend, Queensland's new Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey confirmed she will not be putting Stockwell's name forward as a member of the Organising Committee when the issue is considered by the Queensland cabinet on Tuesday.

The Queensland Government will nominate four members of the board and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association will also nominate four.

The departure of property developer Stockwell, a former Olympic swimming medallist and past president of the Property Council's Queensland division, apparently follows a disagreement between Stockwell and senior Liberal National Party figures over the planned location for the athletes' village.

In April, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported there was significant opposition to housing the village at Parklands, with the Gold Coast Harness Racing Club, the Gold Coast Show Society and Big Day Out organisers among those calling for a different location to be chosen.

However, Stockwell argued that the Parklands site was big enough to host the village and the homes would have a strong resale value given it was close to key infrastructure.

Minister Stuckey made no mention of the matter in a media statement, instead saying it was time to "transition to a board that has the confidence of the government, the Commonwealth Games Association, and the public."

The Minister said she would not put Stockwell's name forward for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games board saying she "believed it was time for a fresh start.

"What is needed now for the Gold Coast Games are well-credentialled people who have qualifications in law, finance, development and the commercial sector, along with prominent sporting people."

Stockwell's exclusion comes two months after Minister Stuckey appeared to endorse him shortly after she was sworn in to her ministerial role.

At that time she stated "as the Minister for the Commonwealth Games, I look forward to working closely with Chairman Mark Stockwell and his team to ensure the event sees the Gold Coast, and Queensland, shine as a major tourism, sporting, events and business destination."

In her latest statement, Minister Stuckey acknowledged Stockwell's role in successfully steering the bid for the Gold Coast games, but added "to ensure that these games are delivered on time, and importantly on budget, the LNP Newman government needs to put in place a board that will quickly get on with the major infrastructure planning and delivery of this billion dollar event."

Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk stated "I sincerely hope that the decision did not rest on the fact Mr Stockwell was appointed by the previous government.

"Mr Stockwell is highly regarded in the business and sporting arenas, which just adds to the need for a fuller explanation from the government."

The list of appointees to the board is due to go to Cabinet tomorrow and is expected to be made public after being endorsed at an Executive Council meeting on Thursday.

Local media suggest that Paridian Executive Chairman Nigel Chamier, V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane, MinterEllison partner John Witheriff and former Tourism Queensland Chairman Terry Jackman are likely replacements.

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