Premier committed to Gabba rebuild as questions remain over budget blowout
Neil Breen has cast doubt on the budget for the major rebuild of the Gabba as part of the state government’s Brisbane Games vision.
If the Gabba rebuild is done correctly, and taxpayers don’t have to wear the cost entirely “it’s a great idea”, he said.
It comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government is doing the detailed costings now on the rebuild of the stadium, saying they were “100 per cent committed to the Gabba”.
The initial cost was tipped to be around $1 billion.
But Neil questioned if it was practical.
“We over-reached and got over-ambitious,” he said.
“At the end of the day, if the state government can pull it off, if they can get proper funding for the stadium … this should not be a gift for the Brisbane Lions and the AFL paid for by the people of Queensland and Australia.”
Press PLAY below to hear his comments in full
Later, Neil uncovered the Queensland government’s Olympics costings which were provided to the International Olympic Committee, before Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Games.
“When the Premier says she’s sending this off for costings, we’ve done the costings, because they presented this budget to the IOC.”
Press PLAY below to hear Neil break down the figures – and what they mean