Anika Wells MP on Today Show

E&OE TRANSCRIPT

TV INTERVIEW

CHANNEL 9, TODAY

THURSDAY, 21 MARCH, 2024 

SUBJECTS: BRISBANE 2032 OLYMPIC GAMES

KARL STEFANOVIC, CHANNEL 9: Well, it was the news that shocked the nation, that the Queensland State Government sought advice and considered cancelling the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Premier Steven Miles was quick to deny the claims, making a bold declaration at Question Time yesterday.

We're joined now by Minister of Sport Anika Wells, live in Canberra. Minister, good morning to you.

Thanks for your time this morning.

ANIKA WELLS, MINISTER FOR AGED CARE AND MINISTER FOR SPORT: Good morning, Karl.

STEFANOVIC: Look, the 2032 Olympics are eight years away, eight short years. And this was supposed to be Brisbane's time to show the world how we've come of age. Now it's just a national embarrassment. How are you going to stop it being an international embarrassment?

WELLS: Well, I think, firstly, we've got our OCOG meeting tomorrow, which is timely for everyone with a stake in this to get around the one table and have a discussion about the pathway forward.

I mean, you make the point, Brisbane's had more years than any other host city by the IOC to prepare, and it's a shame that things have come to this point where Queenslanders and Australians are unhappy with where things are at in terms of the preparation for the games. We don't want that. I want people to be looking forward to this.

I know as a Queenslander, I was so proud when we became the host city, and I still think, Karl, that it will be what you say, which is a real coming of age moment for Queensland.

But I think, and I put up my hand, all of us with a part to play in this are going to need to do more and work harder to demonstrate to people that we still can make this a coming of age moment in a really special time.

STEFANOVIC: You work really hard at this portfolio. No one can deny that. But this is under your watch. You must be livid about how things have gone?

WELLS: I wouldn't say that, Karl, because I do, like you say, have a closer eye than anyone on all of the different elements that make this a complex thing to put on. And games are messy. I mean, I can't wait for Paris, but as you well know, they haven't even decided how the opening ceremony looks at the moment. They don't know how many athletes will be participating in the open ceremony in what format. These things are always a bit untidy on the road through.

But I think it's such a privilege that I get to do that, like you say, and I want to make sure that people feel like this is value for money and that this is something that they welcome.

And remember with the Matildas last year, that really wasn't on the radar for a lot of Australians until it arrived, and then it was this national uniting moment. We can still have that.

STEFANOVIC: Okay. Our athletes say the QE2 reboot will cost us medals. Cate Campbell yesterday she went off and rightly so. Leisel Jones today also saying it was playing politics They're upset and they've got every right to be so.

WELLS: Look, we've talked about this before. When I make decisions as federal sports minister, I am always athlete-led.

So the moment I hear that athletes are concerned I am concerned as well. So that is something that I'll be raising.

And it sort of speaks to, I think, the broader question this week, which is that we all need a lot more detail about what this new format and what this new proposal looks like.

From the federal government perspective, we need the costings. We now have to vary an intergovernmental agreement and agree to the new venues being proposed or that have been decided by the Queensland Government, and we're going to need a lot more details and specifics before we can do that.

STEFANOVIC:   [Interrupts] What I mean is, as such as the Olympic Organising Committee, it meets tomorrow. We've got Paris, we've got LA, and we can't talk on behalf of the Olympic Committee. But anything less than great would be a massive concern to them, I'm sure. I mean, the very future of the games rides on world-class events, and I will put it to you: there's nothing world class about whacking a bit of spit and polish on QE2.

WELLS: Well, I would say what is world class is what we at the federal government have committed to do for the Brisbane 2032 games, which is the $2.5 billion Brisbane Live venue. As a Queenslander, you would have come to my beautiful neck of the woods Boondall for live indoor entertainment. It is - as the steward of Boondall that I sadly say, we do need a better, fit for purpose, inner city world class facility and that's what we are contributing. And that is a good legacy piece for Queensland and for people who want to come to Queensland for live music. The other legacy pieces, the smaller venues, the minor venues that will sit around the different suburbs and regions of South East Queensland, they are also good value for money and good legacy pieces.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, it just doesn't make any sense to me when you're talking about opening and closing ceremonies at Suncorp Stadium, a 50,000 capacity. Buck the Bronco runs out of space on any given Sunday, let alone 10,000 athletes. It's just embarrassing.

WELLS: Well, good luck tonight, first of all. And secondly, it's the new norm. Let's call a spade a spade here. We're having a frank conversation and I appreciate it. Brisbane's the smallest city to ever have been awarded the host city rights for the Olympic Games. We wouldn't have got it but for the new norm protocols which the IOC have put in place, because the world is changing and taxpayers don't accept what they used to when it comes to sports infrastructure funding. And under the new norm protocols, we are supposed to refurbish existing venues first, and I imagine that's what has led the Premier to the Queensland Government's decision and that is theirs to own. But for us at OCOG when we meet tomorrow, I think it's a good time for us to get around the table and really talk honestly about what you're talking about, about regaining the trust of people.

STEFANOVIC: Okay. To your knowledge, have there been any breaches of contract yet, given the look of the games compared to the pitch?

WELLS: With respect to the host questionnaire, we're not actually a host party. It's complicated, but Brisbane and Queensland are host parties to the IOC, not the feds. So I don't see those contracts, but we will now. I can tell you, you have to vary and sign a new inter-governmental agreement between the Queensland Government and the Australian government.

STEFANOVIC: I've got no problem with the federal government, but I have no faith in the Queensland Government in delivering the games as it stands right now.

WELLS: And I think that feedback has echoed across the state this week, has been heard loud and clear. And like I say, whilst I'm here in Canberra today, I'm looking forward to flying home and being part of that honest discussion at OCOG tomorrow.

STEFANOVIC: All right. You've got a lot of work to do. I appreciate you being on the show.

WELLS: I'm on the case.

STEFANOVIC: Okay.