Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Brisbane and says he had a “good chat” with the Queensland Premier, Deputy Premier and Brisbane 2032 Olympics chief Andrew Liveris last night.
As our reporter Cameron Atfield reported yesterday, the federal government is yet to recommit to its $3.44 billion contribution to Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure after its preferred project, an inner-city arena, was removed from the Games plan two months ago.
The Albanese government had agreed to fund the Brisbane Arena, which would host Olympic and Paralympic swimming events, leaving the main Olympic stadium to be delivered by the state.
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Speaking on ABC Radio Brisbane this morning, Albanese said the details of the Queensland government’s plan had now come through, and the federal government wanted to “make sure that we get it right”, insisting legacy was important.
Albanese said the federal government’s funding was capped, but it was an issue of where it was allocated.
“We want to make sure, as well, that there’s a legacy there, that’s why we supported the arena – now there’s a private sector proposal RE funding,” he said.
“We, of course, want to make sure that there’s value for money, but we also want to make sure that in 2040, people are looking back and saying, isn’t it great that we’re getting to see, by then, an older Dua Lipa perhaps, performing at a centre here in Brisbane that is fit for purpose and that encourages big acts to come here.”
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