Media Release

KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter has called on the State and Federal Governments to immediately stop work on the bid for a Brisbane Olympics in 2032, stating it was a waste of money and resources as the economy tanks from the Coronavirus lockdown and thousands try to survive without work.

“If it was a stupid idea to sink Billions of dollars into a Brisbane Olympic games before Covid-19, then it is infinitely more stupid now,” he said.

“It took regional Australia a decade to recover from the Global Financial Crisis and it will take the nation just as long to rebuild from the impacts of Coronavirus.

“Should we spend the next decade restarting a manufacturing sector, commencing nation building infrastructure and getting Australians back to work? Or should we spend the next ten years preparing for a two week sporting event?”

Mr Katter said the Premier should instead invest taxpayers’ money and bureaucratic resources into a public works scheme of ‘make money’ projects such as the Bradfield Scheme (Hells Gate Dam), Hughenden Irrigation Project, Paluma to Wallaman Falls eco-trail, Copperstring and Galilee Coalfields rail line.

“If Madam Premier wants a gold medal for economic management then I’m more than happy to talk her through the benefits of a public works scheme, the likes of which saw America build itself out of the Great Depression” he said.

“The Olympic Games is the ultimate ‘absorb money’ project; North Queensland’s shovel ready projects will drive a profit for this state for decades to come.”

Mr Katter said the current situation reminded him of his time in state politics when millions of dollars went down the drain for Expo 88.

“It ended up costing taxpayers around $200m, and then Premier, Mike Ahern gave the prime real estate to the Brisbane Council at no cost,” he said.

“At the time I said Expo would be a circus for Brisbane that regional Queensland would pay for, and I repeat that statement again on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.”

-ENDS-