Gonzo

And presenting evidence how elections change things The Tasmanian Labor Party before the recent State Election was saying "NO NEW STADIUM FOR HOBART, NO NEW STADIUM!!!" Lose election, new leader and presto And thus the new Hobart Stadium immediately becomes a rival to the old Brisbane Gabba for International Cricket matches

This the the third new stadium concept Newman has supported today alone! Newman impressed with Gabba ‘twin stadium’ plan Campbell Newman has told the inquiry he was impressed by local architectural firm Hayes Anderson Lynch’s vision for a new Gabba stadium precinct. That proposal for a “Gabba Olympic Park” suggested a Gabba rebuild, with the new Brisbane Arena just across Main Street from the cricket ground. “Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to go to events there, in the Gabba, at these new essentially twin stadiums?” he said. “Wouldn’t it be sensational – the best public transport connectivity of any possible stadium. I mean, Suncorp [Stadium], not far from us now, is not easily accessible with PT [public transport]. “Brisbane residents have got to hike from the railway station or the bus stations and even Victoria Park will have an element of that. “But at the Gabba you’d just come straight up from the basement and there you are in this fantastic stadium.” Newman said the cost of that development would be “for the politicians to worry about”.

State announced QSAC without proper study A senior public servant has revealed the Miles government landed on the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the main Olympic stadium without undertaking a proper study into its viability. Senate inquiry chairman asked State Development Minister Graham Fraine what information the government relied on to decide on QSAC as an option. Fraine said, during the course of the Quirk review, the government became aware of the panel’s direction towards recommending a new Victoria Park stadium. “John Coates was also expressing views about QSAC,” he said. Fraine said when the government understood Victoria Park was “where the [review] panel was headed”, his department was asked to “have a look” at QSAC. “That is the work we are now commencing in a project validation report,” he said. Senator Matt Canavan, who is leading the inquiry, asked Fraine whether that was a case of “shooting first and asking questions later”. “The purpose of the project validation report is to inform that final investment decision,” Fraine responded. Fraine said that report was due in the “fourth quarter of this year”.

And we have a "can't recall" "Can't recall" DG not sure who made QSAC call Mr Fraine says he can't recall exactly who asked the department to investigate the QSAC option when it became clear the Quirk review had rejected it. Senator McKenzie is incredulous at this response, asking was it Minister Grace, the Premier or his office. Mr Fraine cannot recall, and neither can Ms Kelly. "No-one can remember?" Senator McKenzie asks. "It would have been someone higher than you (as Director-General) – wouldn't be many people in that category."

Brisbane bond plan in spotlight Stephanie Bennett Archipelago Architects' Peter Edwards is presenting at the Senate Inquiry next. Mr Edwards is behind the "Brisbane Bold" plan – which includes a new Victoria Park stadium at its centre. He said that a recent cost-analysis of his plan – including the three venues and connective walkways is $3.4bn. Senator Caravan notes the Quirk review came up with $3.4bn just for the stadium. "How come yours is cheaper?" he asks. "I don't have all the information for how the review came up with their costs," Mr Edwards says. --- "Frustrated"" Edwards unloads of plans Stephanie Bennett Mr Edwards said the original site of Brisbane Arena above the Roma St station "was never a good option". He also said he has been "frustrated" so much of the conversation has been about venue infrastructure, instead of looking at how the Olympic can catapult the city forward. "We’re not just talking about a sporting venue, we're talking about a piece of knowledge infrastructure," he says. Mr Edwards is now asked by Senator McKenzie why levels of government are rejecting his plan. He says he sees it as a matter of leadership. "I think there was some history of reactive moments in our journey over the last five years to today, where we seem to have made reactive decisions (such as) shifting of the major venue from Albion to the Gabba," he says. "That happened two weeks before the submission to the IOC."

Brisbane Bold architect guy up now Got better things to do, the full transcript of the Senate Hearing will be online tomorrow Interesting point I got out of JC's stuff what the 5 second tidbit that the IOC would refuse to "tick off" on any QSAC option if transport options proposed by the QLD Govt were not acceptable. Leaves a door open for everybody

And just to throw in another stadium option (not sure what number we are up to now!) Apparently the former QLD Premier/Lord Mayor Campbell Newman who will be at the Senate Inquiry later today and is opposed to the Vic Park Stadium has suggested on Brisbane Radio this morning in demolishing the Gabba and moving the Stadium westward and build a new stadium over the currently being built train station

And with that the JC show is over Tea & biscuits time Coming up later - the architect who proposed the Victoria Park Stadium, 3 former Brisbane Lord Mayors (who oppose the Vic Park Stadium), QLD Govt officials, Federal Govt officials, Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins (Olympic Swimming Golden Boy) plus some NIMBY anti Vic Park/Gabba community groups

Last question - if the quote from QLD Department Official that described the 2032 preparation as "half baked & half arsed" JC - I won't comment on anonymous officials

Asked if IOC has done opinion polling on Brisbane support JC says "no" but strangely pulls out only 40% support figure "my nose senses that"

Senator McKenzie asked JC to "humbly" request Mr Liveris attendance at next Senate Hearing

JC says he has only met the Federal Sports Minister once since her appointment in May 2022, "coincidental meeting in Canberra". Never met with Federal Infrastructure/Transport Minister, hasn't met with the PM either "Unless at a sports event by chance"

Asked about his current AOC role and if he is paid for it JC says on the AOC board until Dec 2024. Says he gets paid $100,000 from the AOC, also notes that he gets paid a per day fee by the IOC while on IOC business "something like $300 USD a day plus $500 USD a day for IOC EB meetings". adds he gets paid $25,000 on the Brisbane 2032 Board Senator annoyed by BOCOG President/CEO not turning up today

Senator McKenzie back at it. Asking if he is representing Bach or representing himself today. Asked if he is paid by the IOC JC says he is not paid by the IOC

Back to the Greens senator and the Whitewater Centre. 86% against it, environment damage to Koalas & water supply. IOC technical report says Penrith option viable. Australian Championships just held in 5 degrees in Tasmania. JC - Redlands a matter for the QLD Government, not a matter for the IOC