State unites to hammer out Olympic proposal

A UNITED taskforce of council, state and federal backers has been formed to take a preliminary SEQ 2032 Olympic proposal to Games bosses next month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Australian Olympics boss John Coates and delegates from the southeast’s mayors met in Cairns yesterday, hammering out a united plan to take their proposal to the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Switzerland.

Premier Palaszczuk yesterday named Tourism Minister Kate Jones to assist her with investigating the cost of an Olympic bid, and Ms Jones will join Federal counterpart MP Ted O’Brien and Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson on the combined taskforce.

The AOC said yesterday it was confident Queensland could mount a “compelling case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

“Today was an outstanding start and strong display of unity,” Mr Coates said.

“The leadership group will ensure a disciplined approach and alignment between all levels of government.”

Ms Palaszczuk said “everyone needs to share in the pride that the Olympic Games would bring to Queensland”.

Lord Mayor Schrinner said the “Olympic Games is a big opportunity for the southeast and Queensland, bigger than any one level of government.

“The SEQ Mayors started this idea of an Olympic Games as a great catalyst to bring governments together to deliver the transport infrastructure our region needs. “