Bligh has introduced in State Parliament the Commonwealth Games Arrangements Bill, which enables the set-up of a company to plan, organise and deliver the Games and the appointment of a new Board to oversee it from January 1.

The Bill is to fast-tracked through the Queensland Parliament in the last sitting week of the year in a fortnight's time.

At least eight members must be on the Board, with each appointed by the Government in consultation with the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA).

"It is vital that we have a mix of skills and experience relevant to the staging of international sporting events and includes key stakeholders such as the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and the Gold Coast City Council," said Bligh.

Mark Stockwell (pictured centre), the chairman of the successful bid, is expected to be given a prominent role within the Organising Committee along with Sam Coffa and Perry Crosswhite, the President and chief executive respectively of the ACGA. 

Parliamentarians and Councillors will be banned from appointment to the Board.

Modelled on laws enacted for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Bill sets out the powers of the company and requires it to submit a budget each year to the Government.

"Winning the rights to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games was a major coup for the Gold Coast and Queensland," said Bligh.

"It is important that we follow up this success with the best Games possible.

"There is a lot to be done in the lead-up to 2018 and we need to start planning and organising the Games now."

Bligh plans to personally oversee the preparations for the Games by appointing herself as Commonwealth Games Minister.

"There will be a number of Ministers who will play a role in delivering the Commonwealth Games - the Sports Minister, the Transport Minister,' she said.

"It's important for me to maintain responsibility overall because it will require coordination."

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