Queensland government breaks its silence on bombshell claim it is considering SCRAPPING the Brisbane Olympics

The Queensland government has hit back at a report that it has explored the possibility of pulling out of hosting the 2032 Olympics.

Brisbane will host the event in eight years’ time but politicians have faced a backlash over stadium plans. An independent review has found that the $2.7 billion rebuild of the Gabba Stadium should be scrapped in favor of developing a new 55,000-seater stadium. , at a cost of approximately $3 billion.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles rejected the controversial proposal, arguing he had sought “a better value option”.

He added that no one “wants to see money spent on facilities that are only needed for four weeks” and was skeptical about the final cost of the project.

It was subsequently reported that the Queensland government was discussing the possibility of ceasing hosting duties altogether, a move that would send shockwaves through the sporting world.

A stadium row has broken out with politicians unwilling to spend $2.7 billion on rebuilding the city’s famous Gabba stadium (artist’s impression, photo)

Withdrawing from hosting the Games will cost Prime Minister Steven Miles’ government at least $500 million

However, the government was told this would cost approximately $500 million in compensation. In addition, $3 billion in federal government funding would be withdrawn.

Now the government has denied that it ever considered pulling out from organizing the global event.

“The government has never sought advice on canceling the Games,” a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Steven Miles’ office said.

‘We have always said Queensland would deliver a great Games – not once has the government ever had any intention of canceling the Games.

“We decided not to spend $3.4 million on a new stadium.”

The main conclusions from the independent assessment are as follows:

• The Queensland Government has accepted 27 recommendations arising from the review led by former Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk
• The most controversial suggestion is to scrap a $2.7 billion plan to rebuild the Gabba in favor of building a new 55,000-seat stadium in Brisbane.
• The proposal would cost around $3 billion, with around $360 million in relocation costs for AFL and cricket teams, and would take three years to build.
• The assessment found that the 42,000-seat Gabba is ‘aging’, does not meet building regulations and even if it were completely rebuilt would not be considered a ‘tier 1’ venue due to its size.
• If an alternative stadium is available, the Gabba should be demolished and the site repurposed, the review recommends
• Prime Minister Steven Miles has rejected the review’s key recommendation to build a new stadium at inner-city Brisbane’s Victoria Park.
• Instead, he will explore upgrades to the Queensland Sports and Athletics Center (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane celebrated with fireworks as the city won the right to host the 2021 Games (pictured) – but now the harsh realities of the task ahead are set

The Miles government says its plan ‘prioritizes community benefit while ensuring the coasts remain within the agreed $7.1 billion funding envelope to be shared between state and Commonwealth governments ‘.

‘The government does not believe it would be possible to deliver a new stadium at Victoria Park within the existing agreed funding, and the IOC has noted that a new stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is outside the ‘new normal’ of the use of existing or already planned locations,” it said.

‘The government is therefore ruling out a stadium at Victoria Park, preferring instead to investigate upgrades from QSAC and Suncorp.’