NO GAME CHANGERS

Minister keen to just get on with world-class event

COMMONWEALTH Games Minister Kate Jones says the positions of two high-level executives are safe and it is now time for the “rubber to hit the road” to deliver a world-class event.

After an overhaul of the Gold Coast Games management restructure this week, Ms Jones told the Bulletin she had no intention of making any other significant changes.

“These are the main changes from here,” she said, referring to the formation of a new cabinet committee and appointment of Games deputy director.

“For me this is a line in the sand.

“I feel like stage one is done, now it is about getting on with it.

“This is where the rubber hits the road.”

The news will come as a relief for Games chairman Nigel Chamier and legacy boss and former Queensland premier Rob Borbidge, who faced possible replacement after the change of government.

The pair were put in the job by the previous Newman government and their ties to the LNP made them a target for the Palaszczuk Government.

Former Games chairman Mark Stockwell was axed after the LNP came to power.

“Nigel and Rob have my support,” Ms Jones said.

“I have met with both of them and told them that.”

“They want a responsive government and a responsive minister and I have given them the assurance that they will get that.”

Ms Jones, who is responsible for Education, Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, said she was focused on developing a close working relationship with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, with whom she has been regular contact with since the election.

“I joke with Tom that he and I have the most skin on this,” she said.

“We are talking working hand in glove.”

Games preparations move to the next level this month with preliminary work underway on the Coomera sports precinct on Beattie Rd and the Carrara supports precinct, which includes Metricon Stadium.

“I have been assured by the Games Corporation that the infrastructure is on track.”

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The other major project that will get under way later this year is the athletes village at Parklands, ramping up the number of jobs generated by the Games.

By the end of the Games, it is estimated 30,000 jobs will have been created.

Ms Jones indicated she intended to make the most of her other portfolios to promote the Games and education offered the greatest opportunity.

“I am in a pretty strong position to use that portfolio,” she said.

“We can talk up the Games to people who are really interested.

“There are huge opportunities to tap into.

“We can create a whole lot of ambassadors in our schools.”