Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has claimed he is comfortable with the Government's involvement in Brisbane 2032 ©Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has claimed he is comfortable with the establishment of the Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office, which is set to supervise the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the city, despite criticism that an independent body to oversee preparations would be more effective.

Management consultancy company Deloitte advised that the Coordination Office model was most suitable for Brisbane because 84 per cent of venues already exist, as no major infrastructure is being built for the Games and assets are to remain in public ownership.

The recommendation has now been implemented by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, despite the State having agreed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to establish an independent coordination authority that would be in charge of the preparations.

Albanese claimed that was important that the Games provided a legacy for Queensland once they concluded. 

"I'm comfortable with the mechanisms that are there, I've met with [Brisbane 2032 chair] Andrew Liveris, I've met with the Premier, I've met with the Deputy Premier, and we have got now a funding agreement going forward," Albanese said, as reported by the Brisbane Times.

"I'm a big supporter of the Brisbane Olympics, this is an opportunity to showcase this global city and global state to the world."

Bridget McKenzie has accused the Queensland Government of
Bridget McKenzie has accused the Queensland Government of "ad hoc and opaque decision making" in regard to Brisbane 2032 ©Getty Images

The comments follow confirmation of a Senate inquiry into the planning, spending, and infrastructure development of the Games.

Victoria Senator Bridget McKenzie warned it was necessary after accusing the Queensland Government of "Ad hoc and opaque decision making".

"Last month it was announced that the Queensland Premier had decided against having an independent oversight body, despite one being a part of the Games' IOC agreement," she said, as reported by the Brisbane Times.

"Outside accountability is necessary for an event of this scale."

The Coordination Office is set to be led by Queensland's Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Director General Graham Fraine and is expected to submit a report on September 1.


Sir David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, centre, which oversaw the London 2012 preparations, has criticised the plans announced for Brisbane 2032 ©Zaun
Sir David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, centre, which oversaw the London 2012 preparations, has criticised the plans announced for Brisbane 2032 ©Zaun

Prominent Queenslander Sir David Higgins, knighted for his work as chief executive of the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, has expressed concern over the Office's creation.


"It's not going to work, is it?" he told The Courier Mail last month.

"You’ve got to have a clear brief, proper governance and an independent board so that it can work with the various sporting bodies and the International Olympic Committee.

"I think what is happening in Brisbane at the moment is a bit of a challenge."