Home

Qld govt denies Olympic document secrecy

Marty SilkAAP
LNP spokeswoman Fiona Simpson is worried planning for the Brisbane Games may be shrouded in secrecy.
Camera IconLNP spokeswoman Fiona Simpson is worried planning for the Brisbane Games may be shrouded in secrecy. Credit: AAP

The Queensland government has denied opposition claims that Olympic laws could prevent documents relating to the Brisbane 2032 Games being publicly released.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tabled laws in parliament to set up the organising committee for the Olympic Games on Wednesday.

The panel will oversee the sports program, accommodation for athletes and officials, and cultural and sporting events such as the torch relay and opening and closing ceremonies.

The laws would shield organising committee documents "communicated in confidence" by or for the Australian Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee from Right to Information applications.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The government says the exemption only relates to documents involving the AOC and IOC, in matters such as sponsorships, and is consistent with laws passed in NSW for the Sydney 2000 Games.

"All RTI applications will be assessed by the usual process," a government spokesperson told AAP.

The Game AFL 2024

Liberal National Party integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the definition of "confidential" could prevent all documents being released publicly because almost all of them will relate to the AOC and IOC.

"The legislation states that all documents relating to the Games are not subject to the Right to Information Act," she said in a statement on Thursday.

"This is political trickery at its worst.

"It means all aspects of Queensland preparing for the Games cannot be scrutinised."

Police Minister Mark Ryan said he supported keeping documents about security arrangements, or any others, confidential.

"I obviously support keeping those documents which are relevant to producing the best possible Olympic games, the best games I'm sure Brisbane in Queensland will produce, I'm supportive of those arrangements," he told reporters.

Under the laws there will be 14 members on the committee; at least half must be women, and one must be Indigenous.

The prime minister and premier will each appoint five independent directors, one of which will be the committee president, and make four personal selections each.

The laws ensure AOC president John Coates gets a spot on the committee after he retires from his current role next year.

The AOC will be allowed to nominate either its serving president or "honorary life president", a special AOC role created earlier this year and set to be filled by Mr Coates, for a seat.

The premier has also announced Kurt Fearnley will be the Paralympic athlete representative on the committee.

The 13-times medallist, who will serve alongside Olympic athlete representative and swimmer Bronte Barratt, says the Games are a great opportunity for Australians, especially those with a disability.

"The societal change that these Games can bring to Australians over the next decade, including the millions within our disability community, will be one of the biggest motivating factors for me as part of this process," Fearnley said in a statement.

"Whether they are physical, social, educational, economic or all of the above, the benefits of these Games can set us up for generations to come. It's an incredible opportunity that I'm so excited to be part of."

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails