‘We’re fine’: Queensland Premier promises the Comm Games spectacle won’t happen to the Olympics
After Victoria’s shock decision to ditch its hosting commitments for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Queensland has made it clear that the same thing will not happen to the 2032 Olympics.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said the Victorian Government made the call this morning based on its fiscal position, but Queensland’s economic record is very strong.
Annastacia Palaszczuk
Palaszczuk also pointed to the New Norm reform by the International Olympic Committee, which will be key to guiding the venue selection process, including utilising existing and temporary infrastructure wherever possible.
“We have 85% of the venues that are already needed … and we actually have the agreement with the Commonwealth Government on that remaining infrastructure, so we’re fine,” she said.
Appearing at the Women In Sport Summit today in the Gold Coast, Palaszczuk sat in a panel alongside the Federal Sports Minister, Anika Wells, and the director at the Victorian Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles.
Despite reiterating Queensland’s sound economic position, Palaszczuk said the state won’t put its hand up as a fill-in host for the Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve had people say to me: can we run the Commonwealth Games? Well, no, we can’t, because we are focused on the Olympics,” she said.
“I think the Commonwealth Games committee has a lot of work to do – to look around and see where they can host games, which has existing infrastructure.”
Wells said she was “disappointed” in Victoria’s decision to pull out of its host duties. However, she understood where it came from.
“It’s disappointing for athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who want the experience of returning to their country on home soil,” she said.
“I think every athlete would say that’s the dream, and it’s disappointing that they won’t experience that in regional Victoria.
“I am comforted by the fact that they will still be spending that money on community sport infrastructure as promised, and a legacy of the Games will still be built.”
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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