The Queensland government has denied reports it investigated dumping Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games.
It reportedly came amid backlash over plans to rebuild the Brisbane Cricket Ground, 9News revealed on Tuesday night.
Advice received by the government indicated it would cost at least $500m in compensation, as well as other costs if they backed out of hosting the event.
It would also have meant the federal government would withdraw $3bn in funding for the state.
The state government ultimately decided to proceed because it was better value for taxpayers and Queensland’s reputation than cancelling, the broadcaster reported.
But a spokeswoman for the government dismissed the report.
“The government has never sought advice about cancelling the Games,” she said.
“We’ve always said Queensland would deliver a great Games — not once did the government ever have the intention to cancel the Games.
“We have decided not to spend $3.4bn on a new stadium.”
The Courier Mail reported the Premier’s office was unaware whether a government department or bureaucrat sort the advice – but was working to clarify.
Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Steven Miles revealed he decided to ignore an independent Olympics review and proceed with spending $1.6bn to upgrade the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre because International Olympic Committee member John Coates suggested it.
“I will stand by and support the proposal that — you are right — was in the submission John Coates made to the inquiry,” Mr Miles told parliament.
“That is because, speaking as a representative of the IOC, he could be clear about what the requirements for an Olympic and Paralympic Games would be.
“He wanted to be clear that we did not need a new $3.4bn stadium and that we could deliver the games with our existing stadiums.”
But Mr Coates told The Courier Mail he was only “reminding them” of their obligations to the IOC.
“I am the IOC member in Australia and it’s my duty to remind them the basis upon which they bid for the games,” he said.
“If we don’t honour those arrangements there’s plenty of other countries that can say why did you give it to Brisbane when they didn’t have all the venues?
“Qatar is saying why don’t you give us a crack … we have all the venues … the Germans thought they were pre-empted.
“The IOC went ahead and on the basis of its requirements of existing or planned venues, moved us up.”
