March 15, 2023 | By Bronwen Largier
The Queensland Government has set up the Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office in preparation for hosting the Olympics in less than a decade.
The move comes following a report from consultancy Deloitte, which recommended the establishment of the office, after studying the approaches taken by the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and the London Olympics in 2012.
The new body will coordinate a plethora of Olympic Games stakeholders including the Commonwealth Government, the Queensland Government, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast councils, the SEQ Council of Mayors, the International and Australian Olympic Committees, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (BOCOG) and Paralympics Australia.
The Coordination Office will be accountable to Parliament.
According to Deloitte’s report, “the model leverages existing capability and legislative powers within agencies” and “there is a high level of goodwill and willingness to cooperate among Games Delivery Partners which good governance will facilitate”.
“This body represents nine months of discussion with all of our Games partners on the best and most efficient way of delivering the best Olympic and Paralympic Games ever,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“It cuts red tape while, at the same time, provides input from all of our Games partners.
“Teamwork won us these Games. Teamwork will help us deliver them.”
The 2032 Coordination Office will oversee aspects of the Games including infrastructure, First Nations, environment – with the Games targeting a carbon positive event – legacy and security. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure Office will sit beneath the overarching new body, designing and delivering key venues, villages and transport infrastructure.
The new body will be helmed by seasoned bureaucrat Graham Fraine, currently Director-General of the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, who has 27 years’ experience working in local and state government.
The model has been endorsed by vice president of the International Olympic Committee, Australian John Coates AC.
“This model makes eminent sense to me,” said Coates.
“The IOC has been discussing the governance model with Brisbane 2032. The IOC continues to explore savings and efficiencies to our Games delivery model.
“This is for the benefit of all future Games organisers, including Brisbane 2032.
“The last thing we should be doing is adding layers of bureaucracy. Pleasingly this model does not.”
The move has also received approval from BOCOG.
“We are pleased the final governance framework will be directed by a Leadership Forum, which includes the Organising Committee, Queensland and Australian Governments and other Games Delivery Partners so that key decision-makers are at the table,” said BOCOG president Andrew Liveris.
“We will continue to work with all Games Delivery Partners to ensure venues and infrastructure are delivered in line with our commitments to the IOC and to the long-term best interests of the local communities.”
The state’s sports minister – and also its tourism minister and the minister assisting the premier on Olympics and Paralympics sport and engagement – Stirling Hinchliffe, said the Olympics was a unique opportunity for the state.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fast-track the enduring benefits Queenslanders want to achieve from the biggest and most prestigious event on the planet.
“It’s a truly unique chance to transform Queensland for current and future generations through lasting legacies of Brisbane 2032,” he said.
