The announcement comes three months after the publication of the Queensland Audit Office's 2014 report on the progress of the Games, which found that while preparations were progressing under the previous Liberal National Party (LNP) Government there was no single source of accountability or authority for the overall management.

LNP Auditor-General Andrew Greaves called for a revamp of the organisation of Gold Coast 2018; advice which was brushed off by then Games Minister Jann Stuckey.

Greaves stated in the report: "...overall planning, budgeting and governance is not at the level of maturity required to prove assurance."

But Stuckey told the Gold Coast Bulletin: "It is very important to note that we are on track - we are on time and we are on budget."

Jones, a member of the recently-elected Australian Labor Party, will chair the "Tourism and Commonwealth Games Cabinet Committee" and be responsible for the delivery of every aspect of Gold Coast 2018, including infrastructure.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt and deputy premier Jackie Trad will also sit on the Cabinet Committee, while a deputy director general position will be created within the department of tourism, major events and small business.

The new measures are aimed at ensuring the Games are delivered on time and for the benefit of Queenslanders, Gold Coast residents, businesses and industry.

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Nigel Chaimer (right) has welcomed Kate Jones' announcement ©Getty Images




"Addressing issues raised in the Auditor-General's report has been a priority, that's why I urgently met with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, and city of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate," said Jones.

"The Games are set to create 30,000 jobs and leave an economic impact of AUD$2 billion ($1 billion/€1.4 billion) but it became clear that all of this was at risk.

"We've taken action to improve accountability so Queenslanders and Games partners can have faith that the Games are on track."

Gold Coast 2018 chairman, Nigel Chamier welcomed Jones' announcement and said the changes to the governance structure would streamline communication and decision making.

Chamier insists Gold Coast is committed to working with the Queensland Government and Games delivery partners to ensure a great event.

"Just shy of our 'three years to go' milestone, we are absolutely on track with planning and looking forward to a very productive year," he said. 

Meanwhile, opposition spokesman John Paul Langbroek has defended the LNP's planning of the Games, claiming the same measures would have been taken had the party been re-elected on January 31. 

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January 2015: Queensland Commonwealth Games Minister brushes off advice to revamp Gold Coast 2018 organisation