Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to announce Olympic and Paralympic Games stadiums plan today

The Queensland government has signed off on a 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure and will today announce its plans for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues.

Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his government's final delivery plan for the Brisbane Games — including the site for the athlete's village, the future of the Gabba and whether a new stadium will be built at Victoria Park. 

Cabinet gave the green light to the plan after a meeting late Monday, with the government staying tight-lipped about the final proposal.

Mr Crisafulli visited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra yesterday as conversations continue between the state and federal governments over a funding arrangement.

The state and Commonwealth had previously agreed to a funding envelope of $7 billion for the Games, with $3.4 billion to come from the federal government.

The ABC understands discussions between the state and commonwealth are still underway — and likely to continue for some time — to determine the final allocation of those funds.

About $2.5 billion of the Commonwealth's funding was initially meant to go to a new inner-city arena for Brisbane.

Gabba has little life left

Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk recommended in an earlier 60-day review that a new stadium be built at Victoria Park and the Gabba be demolished.

In an interview with the ABC, Mr Quirk said the Gabba had very limited life left — which was why his review proposed a Victoria Park stadium.

He said a new stadium needed to have good public transport, be close to the CBD, and be in an area with enough space to build a "tier-one" venue.

"I had the opportunity to have a session with the 100-day review team — and they were obviously interested in what my findings were," Mr Quirk said.

"They certainly listened intently. Obviously, we had built up a degree of knowledge around the 60-day review undertaken last year.

Mr Quirk suggested Brisbane had also needed a new arena or entertainment centre for some time.

"I think the reality is for years now we've been talking about Boondall [entertainment centre] being an inadequate centre," he said.

"So there was always a need for a Brisbane Arena or a Brisbane Live, as it was once called.

"And that's not going to go away into the future, but we wait and see what the government has to say in terms of their announcements."

No new stadiums promise

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie kept his cards close to his chest on Monday as he was quizzed about the final delivery plan.

"I can't confirm nor deny anything that may or may not be in a report," he said.

"It's going to be a delivery plan that sets Queensland up with generational road and rail infrastructure."

Prior to last October's state election, Mr Crisafulli promised not to build a new stadium for the 2032 Games.

In an interview with ABC Radio Brisbane in March 2024, he said: "If you're asking me whether or not I support a new stadium, the answer is no, and I've been clear about that."

On the election campaign trail in October, Mr Crisafulli also said: "We've said we're not embarking on new stadiums."

Steven Miles had proposed using the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre for the athletics, and Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies when he was premier.

Annastacia Palaszczuk had wanted to do a Gabba rebuild during her tenure in the top job, before that was scrapped by Mr Miles.