List of recommendations
Recommendation 1
1.82The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the Queensland Government to undertake a review of the potential benefits and opportunities on offer across regional Queensland to support the Brisbane 2032 Games, improve sports outcomes, and subsequently boost regional development. This review should:
include an audit of all sporting infrastructure in regional Queensland to assess the quality, size, and location of venues to maximise use of venues including through multi-use facilities, reduce duplication and identify infrastructure gaps that act as a barrier to sport participation and high-performance outcomes; and
build on the work of the Local Government Association of Queensland's sports inventory project.
Recommendation 2
1.83The committee recommends against any further upgrades to sporting infrastructure in Brisbane to replace events displaced by the construction of Olympics infrastructure. Instead, the committee recommends that:
the Australian Government and the Queensland Governments work with affected sporting codes to upgrade infrastructure outside of Brisbane to provide more tangible legacy outcomes from the 2032 Games; and
the Australian Government establishes a 2032 Olympics Rural and Remote Queensland funding program to ensure that areas outside South East Queensland receive equitable funding for essential infrastructure and community facilities to maximise and broaden the benefits of the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Recommendation 3
1.84The committee reiterates its recommendation in the first interim report and recommends that the Australian Government works with the QueenslandGovernment to halt the redevelopment of the Brisbane Cricket Ground (Gabba) until such time that a review of the business case and a socioeconomic cost benefit analysis of the decision to redevelop the Gabba has been completed. This business case should consider the costs of relocating the East Brisbane State School, as stated in the first interim report, as well as the additional costs of displacing sporting codes that currently use the Gabba.
Recommendation 4
1.85The committee recommends that the Australian Government works with the Queensland Government to update the Brisbane 2032 legacy strategy, Elevate2042, to include specific focus areas on regional infrastructure and tourism. This work should also consider consolidating the four separate focus areas that currently target environmental issues (Focus 7, 8, 9 and 10) and ensure focus areas are adequate to support a lasting legacy following the Olympic Games.
Recommendation 5
1.86The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the Queensland Government to appoint a regional Queensland community leader to the board of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee. The community leader should act as a liaison for consultation, decision-making and ensure effective regional representation.
Recommendation 6
2.132The committee recommends that the Australian Government actively engage with the Queensland Government to:
undertake a housing needs analysis in Games locations, with a view to mobilising all levels of government and stakeholders in the housing industry to coordinate responses in identifying opportunities to increase housing supply without impacts to housing affordability; and
agree a co-funding arrangement that ensures the athlete’s accommodation is converted into social and affordable housing when the Games conclude.
Recommendation 7
2.133The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the Queensland Government to explore options to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms. As part of this process, an independent and integrated Olympic Coordination Authority, with representation from all three levels of government should be considered as an alternative governance arrangement.
Recommendation 8
2.134The committee recommends the Australian Parliament consider amendments to the Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023 to expand Infrastructure Australia’s functions to include nationally significant social infrastructure and provide a greater level of overview for the Brisbane Live Arena project.
Recommendation 9
2.135The committee recommends the Australian Government work cohesively with the Queensland Government to ensure completion of the Sunshine Coast Direct Line from Beerwah to Maroochydore. To de-risk the delivery timelines the project should be delivered in 2029–30 as set out in the March 2022–23 Budget to ensure the rail is operational well in advance of the Brisbane 2032Games.
Recommendation 10
2.136The committee recommends the Australian Government provide greater clarity and transparency on the delivery of infrastructure projects for the Brisbane 2032 Games, or for projects that will have an impact on the Games. As part of this work the committee also recommends that the business case for the Brisbane Live Arena be put to Infrastructure Australia for assessment to ensure it meets the Australian Government’s infrastructure priorities.
Recommendation 11
3.115The committee recommends that the Australian Government through the Office for Sport, progress the establishment of a national strategy for major sporting events in collaboration with all governments, sporting associations and event organisers to maximise Australia’s sporting events calendar and the subsequent participation, economic, social, and legacy benefits.
Recommendation 12
3.116The committee recommends that the Australian Government develops guidelines for future major sporting events which make Commonwealth funding, regulatory, policy and operational support conditional on state and territory governments providing concrete, measurable evidence of the legacy benefits for the community, and evidence that they have undertaken timely, adequate, and meaningful consultation with communities before making decisions on venues and infrastructure.
Recommendation 13
3.117The committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake more frequent meetings with the whole-of-government Inter-Departmental Committee to discuss arrangements for visas in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and any other upcoming events to ensure swift access can be provided to athletes, coaches, and officials, particularly from neighbouring Pacific Island nations.
Recommendation 14
3.118The committee recommends that the Australian Government review current funding mechanisms and investment levels for Australian Sports Commission funded Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games sports and their associations to ensure funding levels are appropriate and sufficient to meet the needs of athletes and their teams to produce successful outcomes in upcoming major events including Paris 2024 and through to Brisbane 2032. This review should also recognise additional para-athlete qualification requirements.
Recommendation 15
3.119The committee recommends that the Australian Government does not relocate the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from Canberra. Any funding that would be required to relocate the AIS should instead be invested into upgrading the current AIS location in Bruce, Canberra to ensure the facility is fit-for-purpose and can support the needs of Australia's athletes leading up to and beyond the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Recommendation 16
3.120The committee recommends that the Australian Government lead the development with interested stakeholders of an Australian bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, the committee recommends the Australian Government provide public reasoning for any decisions made on the proposals.
Recommendation 17
3.121The committee recommends the Australian Government comprehensively review, and report to Parliament, the missed economic, social, and legacy opportunities following the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This review and report should include the impact on Athletes and the proposed regional host communities of Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, and Geelong.