Anxieties surrounding Brisbane’s ability to deliver key projects before its seven-year Olympics countdown ends have been playing on the mind of the man in charge of preparing for the city-defining event.
Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris offered a stark assessment of what was lacking in the lead-up to the Games, saying the city needed more accommodation and skilled migrants.
“I’m having moments that keep me up at night,” he told a business forum on Thursday.
Pressed further, he said they were “good things”.
“We need accommodation, we need hotels,” the business heavyweight said.
“We need human capital like there’s no tomorrow. Skilled labour is a country issue … how do we solve our labour shortage?”
But Mr Liveris, the former chief executive of US chemicals giant Dow, said the city still had enough time to prepare.
Responsibility for the construction of the Games infrastructure rests with the state and federal governments.
Mr Liveris, who completed his education in Brisbane after growing up in Darwin, said the necessary infrastructure and venues would also have to suit the legacy needs of the city after the Games were finished.
He defended the huge cost of their procurement, priced at more than $7 billion, saying the Games would deliver $17 billion in economic benefits.
“I would be very energised if I was a small business in this state and this community,” he said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of something that puts your product on display.
“You will be part of an Olympic city, an Olympic state. So I think it’s a massive opportunity.”
He also defended the Games’ reconciliation plan, the stated aim of which is to recognise the heritage, culture and history of Indigenous people at every level of the organisation.
There are ongoing tensions between the state government and First Nations people over the planned location of the Olympic stadium at the culturally sensitive Victoria Park.
The Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation has launched legal action against the government to stop the facility from being built on the site.
Former Olympic organising committee member Shelley Reys was also axed from the role after a requirement that at least one member be an Indigenous person was removed from legislation.
She later declined to be part of a substitute advisory committee.
Mr Liveris said the Games could still deliver on its commitments to include Indigenous people.
“I’m very committed, maybe (because) I grew up in Darwin amongst Indigenous people, went to school with them,” he said.
“I think that there’s a unique opportunity to elevate in an equitable way how First Nations people live in our country.
“The Olympics and Paralympics should not back away from that.”
Asked what animal would serve as the Games’ mascot, Mr Liveris was coy, laughing before saying: “I don’t know how to answer that question”.
The emblems would most likely be revealed in the second half of 2026, he said.
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