Games hijacked by the ‘PC police’
FORMER LNP Minister Jann Stuckey is urging Commonwealth Games organisers to put the fun back into the Gold Coast Games.
Ms Stuckey, who was Commonwealth Games Minister in the Newman government, has hit out at Games chiefs for allowed the “PC police” too much influence on the event.
The Currumbin MP said when she pitched the Gold Coast Games to the world she spoke about surf lifesavers, meter maids and fun in the sun.
The Gold Coast Meter Maids have been banned from the opening and closing ceremonies, a decision GOLDOC has stuck firm on, despite a campaign to include them.
“The Gold Coast is a fun place, we want to market that to the world and be who we are,” she said.
“When I was the Games Minister I spoke about our Games having all things Gold Coast, the fact that local icons like the Meter Maids are not involved is ridiculous.”
Ms Stuckey told the Bulletin she was genuinely concerned the Games had been “sabotaged” and our “friendly nature” stifled.
“Instead of laying down the law about how we should act during the Games, officials should be ramping up the local flavour and embracing us, not crushing our identity and enthusiasm bit by bit,” she said.
Ms Stuckey’s comments come weeks after GOLDOC told 15,000 Games volunteers to use gender-neutral language when addressing spectators.
There was further controversy when GOLDOC issued “Invasion Day” barbecue invites to staff in the lead-up to Australia Day.
The arts festival due to run alongside the Games has also come under fire, with critics unimpressed by comments from Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg that it is designed to facilitate “courageous conversations” regarding “gender equality, reconciliation and youth empowerment.”
Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman Peter Beattie has previously dismissed the criticisms, saying suggestions that the fun is being taken out of the Games are “well wide of the mark”.
Ms Stuckey also said fears about disruption to everyday lives were also affecting the view of the Games held by many of her constituents.
“We conducted a survey in the area, which shows the people in the Currumbin electorate are too worried about how they will live during the Games to get excited about them,” she said.