Crisafulli flags budget infrastructure spend ‘like never before'
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says he is 'sublimely confident' he can reach an Olympic funding deal with the federal government, as he flagged a record infrastructure spend in next week's state budget.
Speaking at a Property Council lunch on Tuesday, Crisafulli said the generational infrastructure demands of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games gave the state a 'not negotiable' deadline, which would be reflected in next Tuesday's budget.
'When I say record infrastructure spend, I mean like never before in our history,' he said.
'The four-year forwards will be something that shows you how serious we are about the future of this state.
'It will be about respect for your money, but it won't be about austerity. We've got to get this state moving, and that means spending a record amount, but making sure that it drives value, that we get more for what we are doing.'
Central to Queensland's bottom line was the $7.1 billion Games infrastructure funding agreement with the Commonwealth.
The Albanese government had agreed to fund the arena – then planned for Roma Street – under an intergovernmental deal with the then-Palaszczuk government.
But the Crisafulli government's Olympic delivery plan, stemming from its 100-day Games infrastructure review, will instead task the private sector with delivering the arena in its new Woolloongabba location, meaning that agreement needs to be renegotiated.
Crisafulli said he was 'sublimely confident' a deal would soon be reached.
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