Andrew Liveris defends Queensland Premier amid Olympics stadium decision

·

Queensland Premier Steven Miles rejected on Tuesday, March 19, the recommendation to build a new $3.4 billion, 55,000-seat venue for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane’s inner-north at Victoria Park.

Mr Miles also rejected the proposal for knocking down and rebuilding the Gabba. The QLD Premier instead opted for a cheaper option, which includes renovating the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre for $1.6 billion.

He also revealed his aims of holding the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies at Lang Park.

The rejections resulted in criticism from Australians nationwide, however, the President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics organising committee, Andrew Liveris, has defended the political gymnastics on stadium infrastructure as “very normal.” 

But Mr Liveris said the games should “deliver long term sporting venues and infrastructure to support the fastest growing region in Australia.”

The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre
The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

“Recommendations from it are being assessed for their appropriateness and decisions will be made with full consultation of our Organising Committee and the IOC and AOC and provide a path forward for the Australian and Queensland governments to decide on,” he said.

He also responded to criticism received for the rejections of the $3.4 billion facility, and the knock down and re-build of the Gabba.

“There will be lots of opinions, and there’ll be natural ebb and flow in sentiment,” he said. 

Liveris outlined that using these venues to attract major events should be part of the Olympic legacy, however it seemed less likely due to the QLD Premier’s new plan to increase the seating at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre for the Olympic Games only.

“New venues have to be accepted by the population as legacies and as venues that make sense for legacy utilisation,” Liveris said.

Source: The Advertiser. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Compassion, community and purpose’ define the 2025 Jenny Souris Foundation Gala

The Jenny Souris Foundation Gala returned on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, with heart and purpose, drawing around 300 guests.

Thousands attend inaugural Brunswick Greek Festival

Thousands of people attended the Brunswick Greek Festival which was organised and run by the St Eleftherios Albion Street Brunswick parish.

St John’s church in Carlton hosts annual celebration for Patron Saint of police officers

The annual celebration of Saint Artemios’ feast day is one of the key events on the Victoria Hellenic Police Association (VHPA) calendar.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos strengthens ties in Adelaide visit

Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, is visiting Adelaide, South Australia.

Ex-Collingwood captain sues former manager Jason Sourasis for $3 million

Former Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has filed a $3 million lawsuit against his former manager and long-time friend Jason Sourasis.

You May Also Like

Will Kostakis to headline 2021 Adelaide Festival “Writers’ Week”

The Adelaide Writers’ Week was the last literary festival to squeak in before the 2020 lockdown, and will be one of the first to return live in 2021.

Greeks express solidarity with Chinese people in coronavirus outbreak

The pedestrian path at the foot of the Acropolis hill in the heart of Athens was lit red on Friday evening for an hour,...

SA Minister Tom Koutsantonis among 235 Australians banned from entering Russia

Tom Koutsantonis and Daniel Andrews are amongst more than 200 people who have been sanctioned from entering Russia.