Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has insisted that infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will be overseen by the State Government ©Getty Images

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has insisted that the State Government will be in charge of delivering infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games despite Brisbane's pledge to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that this would be overseen by an Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA).

Brisbane had outlined plans to establish a body involving Federal, State and local Governments to manage infrastructure in bid documentation sent to the IOC before securing the hosting rights for the 2032 Games.

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told The Australian that it was an "express understanding" between him and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to create the OCA.

Miles has hit back at those claims, insisting that the Queensland Government would look after infrastructure.

"There is a mention in the documents that we have forwarded in the host questionnaire that there would be a coordinating agency," said Miles.

"This notion that’s come from Scott Morrison that it would somehow be joint or independent - that doesn’t exist anywhere.

"There is no reference to an independent authority.

"I don’t think people want a whole new bureaucracy and a whole new public service."

Brisbane had told the IOC that plans were in place to create a cross-Government Olympic Coordination Authority when it presented its bid for the 2032 Games ©Brisbane 2032
Brisbane had told the IOC that plans were in place to create a cross-Government Olympic Coordination Authority when it presented its bid for the 2032 Games ©Brisbane 2032

According to Brisbane’s IOC Future Host Commission Questionnaire Response submitted to the IOC in May 2021, there were plans for a cross-Government agency to oversee infrastructure.

"It is anticipated the OCA will be established as a Government entity with Australian, Queensland and local Government representatives,” the questionnaire read as reported by Australian newspaper WAtoday.

"It will have the capacity to coordinate the activities of all Australian and Queensland Government departments and agencies with responsibilities for Games-related matters.

"This shared governance model will ensure public authorities have full oversight of all Games projects from the planning, scoping and design phase through to contracting, construction and delivery.

"It is expected the timing of the establishment of the OCA will coincide with the establishment of the OCOG [Organising Committee for the Olympic Games]."

Miles has since come under fire from Jarrod Bleijie, deputy opposition leader and Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure and Jobs.

Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie said Queeslanders would be
Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie said Queeslanders would be "very scared" by the State Government's plans to manage infrastructure for Brisbane 2032 ©Getty Images

"This slaps of secrecy, not being open, not being transparent and wanting to have it all in house so the public can’t see where their money is being spent," Bleijie told Brisbane radio station 4BC.

"It shows that the Premier believes that she doesn’t need experts now to advise her on projects.

"Everyone in Queensland should be very worried and very scared and it sends a shiver up their spine.

"We have always advocated for an independent coordination delivery authority.

"It says in the bid document that there will be a coordination authority responsible for legacy, oversight and where required delivery.

"Everyone would have expected that to be an independent delivery authority because when we are talking about billions of dollars Queenslanders would expect some independent oversight.

"They are not going to get this when it’s in-house."