Queensland opposition leader vows to ‘fix the mess’ after Olympics crisis

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli has pleaded with voters to “give me 100 days and we can fix this mess” amid concerns for the future of the Brisbane Olympics.

The state government has faced pushback over its handling of preparation for the 2032 games, including the now-scrapped $3.4b makeover of the city’s Gabba stadium.

Premier Steven Miles said this week he planned to deliver the “best Olympic Games ever”, but dodged reports the state government mulled the cost of cancelling the event.

Speaking with B105 Breakfast show Stav, Abby and Matt on Friday morning, Mr Crisafulli described the Labor government’s handling of the games as “absolute chaos”.

“My plea to Queenslanders is, they’ve (the government) had 1000 days and created the mess – give me 100 days and we can fix the mess,” he said.

“I’m not going to have the state that I love become an embarrassment because we’ve got a bad government.

“I don’t want to have a Games that’s all about the politicians, it’s all about control. This is about Queenslanders.”

Mr Crisafulli said he planned on delivering a “world class” games by establishing a “proper independent Olympic co-ordination authority”.

“Their remit will be, we’ve got to deliver the Games in the funding envelope,” he said.

“Where is the opportunity for generational road and rail to make sure that we’ve got a Southeast (Queensland) that functions well?

“Where’s the opportunity for a 20-year tourism plan to make sure every part of Queensland can benefit from the product while the eyes of the world are on us?

“That’s my vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

For his part, Mr Miles has backed both investment in intra-regional road and rail projects for the games and the establishment of an Olympics oversight group.

He told parliament during question time on Wednesday that he would not “hand them (the authority) the budget … we (the state government) will set the budget”.

“This side of the House are unwavering in our commitment to deliver a great Games,” he said.

“But, a games that delivers the legacy our region – our state – needs, and that is about transport.

“We will use the opportunity of the Games to deliver faster rail to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast heavy rail.

“We will invest in transport services across this region, because that’s what the Games are about.”

Mr Miles has faced pushback after it was reported the government had received advice on the cost of potentially cancelling the games, ranging between $500m and $1b.

The crisis also comes as Mr Miles, who took over from former-premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, prepares to take Labor to the polls in October for the state election.