Brisbane Olympics organisers are distancing themselves from Victoria’s shock decision to ditch the Commonwealth Games, saying the two events are completely different.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday blamed cost blowouts as he pulled the plug on hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
It triggered immediate calls for Queensland to rethink its commitment to the 2032 Olympics, which the state’s premier was quick to reject.
Annastacia Palaszczuk insisted Queensland had “done our sums” and was on sound financial footing, which she said was “very different” to Victoria.
Ms Palaszczuk said Games funding had already been secured through a $7 billion state and federal deal.
She also said the 2032 Olympics would be completely different to previous Games.
“It is a completely different scenario to the previous Olympics, the Tokyo Olympics, where they had to build big, big venues,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We don’t have to do that.”
Unveiling the Olympic Rings and Paralympics Agitos, Brisbane Games chief executive Cindy Hook said the 2032 event would be cost-neutral to the taxpayer.
“I’m confident that we are going to work hard to maximise our commercial success and then live within our means to deliver a balanced budget,” she told reporters in Brisbane.
Ms Hook rejected suggestions preparations were on shaky ground, saying the situation was poles apart from Victoria.
“We have a long runway and more time than they did to plan,” she said.
“That time, if used well, will be very much to our advantage.”
