Australia
Gina Rinehart lobbied Queensland to move Olympic events
A letter obtained under right to information laws reveals the billionaire urged the Queensland government to consider Rockhampton for Brisbane 2032 events.
Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart lobbied the Queensland government to move some Brisbane 2032 Olympic events to the regional city of Rockhampton. According to reporting by wire services, the proposal was detailed in correspondence obtained under right to information laws.
The correspondence shows Ms Rinehart wrote a letter to Jarrod Bleijie, the Queensland Deputy Premier. In the letter, she asked the government to consider Rockhampton as a potential host city for Olympic events before the Liberal National Party releases its official Games Delivery plan, which is scheduled for March 2025.
The details of which specific sports or events Ms Rinehart proposed for the central Queensland city remain unclear from the initial reports. The move highlights ongoing debates about how the benefits of the multi-billion-dollar Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games can be shared with regional areas outside of the state's south-east corner.
Rockhampton, which is located more than 600 kilometres north of Brisbane, is traditionally known as the beef capital of Australia and has limited existing international sporting infrastructure compared to the capital. The Queensland government has previously faced pressure from regional mayors and business groups to decentralise the games, though logistical and transport challenges remain significant hurdles.
Observers will be watching to see if Rockhampton is included in the Olympic venue mix when the Queensland government releases its Games Delivery plan in March 2025.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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