Brisbane news live: Woman’s body found on busy bike path; PM and premier broker Olympics deal over cannolis; Labor’s pre-election budget cash splash
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Olympics, money and cannolis: Premier and PM discuss Games deal
By Marissa Calligeros and Catherine Strohfeldt
As we mentioned earlier, Premier David Crisafulli is in Canberra today, where he signed an education funding deal with the prime minister.
The pair also discussed the state’s plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Crisafulli will publicly detail the state government’s plans for Olympic venues tomorrow, with the widely speculated announcement of a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park, breaking the premier’s key promise of “no new stadiums” during last year’s election campaign.
Premier David Crisafulli and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese say they shared cannolis while discussing Olympic Games funding. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Standing alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning, Crisafulli said: “I reckon we spoke a lot about it. But we’ve negotiated well together. I think that’s fair. We’ve worked together well, and that’s always my style.
“I’m on Team Queensland. Of course, there’s been some strong negotiations – two people of Italian descent, you would expect that.
“But there’s nothing that can’t be solved over a bit of common sense and a cannoli.”
The prime minister added: “I can confirm that the premier has on two occasions given me cannolis and I haven’t declared them and I declare them now.”
Under a previous funding agreement negotiated by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Queensland government would have paid for the Gabba to be rebuilt as Brisbane’s major Olympic stadium, while the federal government would have paid for a new indoor Brisbane Arena to host Olympic swimming.
The cost of constructing the main stadium at Victoria Park will force Crisafulli’s LNP government to renegotiate these deals on the eve of a federal election, potentially putting Brisbane Arena at risk.
It has been 1430 days since Brisbane was awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the premier said.
PM mocks Dutton for adopting policy he called a ‘Ponzi scheme’
By AAP
The prime minister hopes the budget cycle will force the opposition to show its cards before the election is officially called for a date in May.
Before tomorrow’s budget, the federal government is spruiking its cost of living relief efforts, announcing a $150 energy bill rebate in an extension of the $300 subsidy offered in the previous budget.
Though Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called the plan a “Ponzi scheme”, the coalition revealed it would support the measure, drawing criticism from the government.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time in February.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“The rhetoric that they use in attacking this means that they can’t be secure,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra this morning.
“Having opposed all of these things for almost three years – just to have said ‘yes’ – they’ve got to have something to say about policy and they don’t have any of their own.”
The PM added that he looked forward to some Coalition policy “coming out sometime between now and May”.
The opposition leader is promising a major announcement in Thursday’s budget reply speech with immigration and housing likely to be areas of focus.
Brisbane to avoid worst of Queensland’s big wet
By William Davis
Brisbane is likely to be spared the worst of a downpour across much of the state.
Parts of Queensland’s west are being drenched in the heaviest rain in years, with possible flooding and more than 100 millimetres forecast in some areas this week.
The tiny town of Birdsville had its heaviest rainfall since 2020 this month, with more than 70 millimetres falling in 24 hours.
Weatherzone reports some towns could become inaccessible.
“There is the potential for a few hundred millimetres of rain across a large area, likely cutting off … unsealed roads, leaving some communities isolated,” a statement said.
Sporadic drizzle is expected in Brisbane for the next seven days, with a maximum of 10 millimetres on Friday possible.
Boost gas supply to drop energy prices: Nationals leader
By Olivia Ireland and Marissa Calligeros
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says a Coalition government will get energy prices down by increasing the supply of gas.
Speaking on ABC Radio National this morning, Littleproud was asked if he could guarantee that energy prices would go down under a Coalition government. He responded in the affirmative.
“We will have renewables as well, make no mistake, there will be renewables as part of our grid, but you’ve got to have baseload power,” he said.
Nationals leader David Littleproud.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Speaking in Canberra, Premier David Crisafulli said Queensland was a good example for other states.
“I would argue that other states probably haven’t come on the same journey that we have, and I think if you point to Queensland as an example that it can be done – it can be done,” he said of the state’s gas production.
Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli in Canberra on Monday.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
“You can protect the environment. You can treat local communities with respect. You can create some jobs and earn a living. It is absolutely possible.”
Flashback: Trams on the Victoria Bridge
In today’s flashback, here is a photo of cars and trams travelling along the Victoria Bridge in 1952.
The trams were destined for New Farm Wharf and Fortitude Valley. The cars, travelling north, include a Ford, Holden, Austin, Morris and Vauxhall.
Cars and trams travelling along Victoria Bridge in 1952.Credit: State Library of Queensland
Quirk says it’s time to hit the Olympics ‘go button’
By William Davis
The timeline to prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is “becoming tight,” according to former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
Tomorrow, Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his government’s final plans for Olympic venues after a 100-day Games infrastructure review.
It is widely speculated Crisafulli will announce a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park, in line with the key recommendation of Quirk’s 2024 Olympic venue review, which was dismissed by the former Labor state government.
Then-lord mayor Graham Quirk in 2016, when the plan to secure the Olympics was in its infancy.Credit: Glenn Hunt
“The build has basically got to be completed by the end of 2031 because you’ve got to road test these venues as well,” Quirk told the Today show earlier this morning.
“It’s becoming tight. I think the government appreciates that tomorrow hopefully when these decisions are made … it will be pressing the go button … and we can just get stuck into it.”
Quirk said he remains confident the Games will be a positive platform to showcase Brisbane.
“We are going to see good investment in Brisbane. It’ll be investment for Brisbane and Queensland, which will help young people. It’s an investment which will also see improved outcomes for public transport and improved investment driven by tourism after the Games.”
Death of woman found on bike path ‘non-suspicious’: police
By William Davis
The death of a woman whose body was found on a popular bike path this morning is not being considered suspicious, police say.
The woman’s body was found on the Kedron Brook Bikeway in Lutwyche by a member of the public as the sun came up just before 6am.
Kedron Brook Bikeway was closed and emergency services were called to the scene.
“Initial investigations indicate that the woman’s death is non-suspicious,” police said in an updated statement about 9am.
It remains unclear what caused the woman’s death, but a police spokesperson described it as “sudden”.
Residents are urged to avoid the area.
Premier on GST and Bruce Highway funding
By Marissa Calligeros
Premier David Crisafulli also told reporters in Canberra a short time ago he is keen to secure more federal funding for the Bruce Highway.
As we have reported, the premier was in Canberra this morning to sign a multi-billion dollar education funding deal with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Premier David Crisafulli speaking in Canberra this morning.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
He expressed frustration with the federal government’s decision to reduce Queensland’s share of GST revenue (Queensland was the only state or territory to have its GST cut).
But Crisafulli said he was pleased the federal government had come to the party with funding to upgrade the troubled Bruce Highway, and was keen to secure more money for flood mitigation.
“And then there is the little matter of the flood mitigation on the Bruce Highway as well, which I might go and try to get his signature [on] before I fly back to Brissie,” Crisafulli said.
‘One day to go, one day to go’: Premier says people will respect stadium decision
By Marissa Calligeros
Premier David Crisafulli expects Queenslanders will respect his decision on Olympic stadiums.
He is due to publicly announce the recommendations of his 100-day Games infrastructure review tomorrow.
“One day to go. One day to go,” he said, while standing beside the prime minister in Canberra this morning.
David Crisafulli and John-Paul Langbroek were in Canberra to announce a school funding deal.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
“I have this view that if you provide the information and the reasons behind decision, whatever they are, people will respect that.
“Tomorrow we will outline a plan to make sure that we can deliver generational infrastructure for every square inch of the state, and I think that it is an exciting time and I want Queenslanders to believe that we can deliver something when the eyes of the world are on us that makes us feel proud to be Queenslanders.”
Olympics, money and cannolis: Premier and PM discuss Games deal
By Marissa Calligeros and Catherine Strohfeldt
As we mentioned earlier, Premier David Crisafulli is in Canberra today, where he signed an education funding deal with the prime minister.
The pair also discussed the state’s plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Crisafulli will publicly detail the state government’s plans for Olympic venues tomorrow, with the widely speculated announcement of a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park, breaking the premier’s key promise of “no new stadiums” during last year’s election campaign.
Premier David Crisafulli and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese say they shared cannolis while discussing Olympic Games funding. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Standing alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning, Crisafulli said: “I reckon we spoke a lot about it. But we’ve negotiated well together. I think that’s fair. We’ve worked together well, and that’s always my style.
“I’m on Team Queensland. Of course, there’s been some strong negotiations – two people of Italian descent, you would expect that.
“But there’s nothing that can’t be solved over a bit of common sense and a cannoli.”
The prime minister added: “I can confirm that the premier has on two occasions given me cannolis and I haven’t declared them and I declare them now.”
Under a previous funding agreement negotiated by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Queensland government would have paid for the Gabba to be rebuilt as Brisbane’s major Olympic stadium, while the federal government would have paid for a new indoor Brisbane Arena to host Olympic swimming.
The cost of constructing the main stadium at Victoria Park will force Crisafulli’s LNP government to renegotiate these deals on the eve of a federal election, potentially putting Brisbane Arena at risk.
It has been 1430 days since Brisbane was awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the premier said.
Queensland becomes final state to sign school funding agreement
By Olivia Ireland
Premier David Crisafulli has joined the Prime Minister in Canberra this morning to sign a $2.6 billion education funding deal.
Speaking together in Canberra, Albanese said the agreement marked a historic day.
“Queensland is the last state to agree with the national schools funding agreement,” he said.
“Every child will have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. That’s what aspiration is about, that’s what people want for their young sons and daughters.”
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