Resumed from 26 August 2025 (see p. 2373).

Hon. TL MANDER (Everton—LNP) (Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games) (4.04 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time.

I am pleased to speak again on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on 26 August 2025 and referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for detailed consideration. I would like to thank the committee for their detailed consideration and the public briefings and hearings they undertook. Officers from the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games, with support from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, provided a briefing paper and appeared at the public briefing to the committee about the bill on 17 September, with further information provided as requested by the committee. The committee received four submissions to its inquiry on the bill and tabled its report on 17 October 2025. I table a copy of the government’s response to that report. Tabled paper: State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee: Report No. 13, 58th Parliament—Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, government response [183].

I would like to thank the chair—the member for Lockyer—and the committee members for their timely consideration of the bill as well as acknowledge the work of the committee secretariat. I also would like to thank the organisations that made submissions in relation to the bill, the officers from Stadiums Queensland and the City of Gold Coast who spoke at the committee’s public hearing on the bill on 30 September down at Southport, and representatives of the Ticket Brokers Association of Australia who spoke at the committee’s public hearing here in Brisbane on 1 October.

The committee’s report made three recommendations. The first recommendation is that the bill be passed. I thank the committee for its support. The committee’s second recommendation was that the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games consult with the City of Gold Coast and other key stakeholders on any future amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Regulation 2014—the regulation—relating to the operation of special events at Carrara Stadium and Robina Stadium. The Crisafulli government supports this recommendation and, pending passage of the bill, the department intends to set regulatory conditions for the operation of special events at Carrara Stadium and Robina Stadium through a future amendment to the regulation. The department will consult with keystakeholders, including the City of Gold Coast, Stadiums Queensland, stadium operators and hirers and the local community, during the development of these regulatory conditions to support the development of appropriate, fit-for-purpose regulatory conditions for the operation of special events at the stadiums.

Mr Kempton interjected.

Mr MANDER: I take no offence from that interjection. I will try to beef it up a bit now. The committee’s third recommendation was that the department monitor the effectiveness of increased ticket-scalping penalty provisions, including any enforcement or compliance challenges, to ensure the amendments achieve their desired outcomes and remain fit for purpose. The Crisafulli government supports this recommendation and, pending passage of the bill, the department will seek to work with the Queensland Police Service and other relevant agencies such as the Office of Fair Trading within the Department of Justice to monitor the effectiveness of increased penalties for unlawful ticket reselling under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and Major Events Act 2014 to support achievement of the bill’s objectives.

I am pleased to inform the House that the bill received strong support from stakeholders who provided submissions. The feedback presented during the committee’s examination of the bill highlighted key matters that will be important for the department to consider as we proceed with consultation on amendments to the regulation. These amendments aim to establish a long-overdue regulatory framework for special events, including major concerts at People First Stadium in Carrara and Cbus Super Stadium in Robina. For too long the Gold Coast has been treated like a second-class destination bythe former Labor government, held back by a tangled web of state and local bureaucracy. In contrast, the Crisafulli government is committed to securing Queensland’s place as the event capital of the country.

This bill ends the era of archaic inconsistency with our stadiums. The new regulatory framework would effectively allow for concerts at these venues to be held until the industry standard of 10.30 pm instead of the current 10.00 pm curfew required in practice by liquor licensing constraints. This is about more than just an extra 30 minutes of music; it is about market efficiency. We are removing the handbrake of bureaucracy that has historically forced promoters to omit Queensland venues from their tours because of uncompetitive curfews.

The City of Gold Coast has given its broad support to the objective of the bill to attract major concerts that deliver social, cultural and economic benefits to the region. Understandably, like the Crisafulli government, the city wants to ensure a balance is struck between these benefits and effectively managing the impacts on the local community. The city would also like to better understand its role following any determination of noncompliance with proposed regulatory requirements for noise from concerts held at People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium.

Thanks also go to Live Performance Australia. Live Performance Australia is the peak body for Australia’s live arts and entertainment industry and I am pleased to say they have offered their support for this bill. In particular, regarding the provisions which will ultimately enable concerts at the Gold Coast stadiums to finish at the industry standard time of 10.30 pm, in their words— It would … be disappointing for fans to be denied the opportunity to see their favourite act in their local area because event promoters have omitted Queensland stadiums and arenas from the tour because of the 10pm curfew.

Live Performance Australia also recognises that the current provisions which penalise buyers of tickets over 10 per cent of the original purchase price are out of step with other jurisdictions. By removing this offence, we are backing Queenslanders by delivering commonsense reform and ensuring our laws align with national best practice. Queensland is currently the only state that penalises buyers of unlawfully resold tickets, and removing that provision will encourage people to report ticket scalping without fear of being fined themselves.

The City of Gold Coast and Live Performance Australia both raised the issue of festivals with the committee. While the suggestion to include festivals within the definition of a ‘special event’ under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 appears to have merit on first read, as festivals in Queensland are not held solely on major sports facility land, the regulation of festivals is beyond the scope of this bill. As a government that respects jurisdictional integrity, we recognise that, because People First Stadium and adjacent council owned land are used together to host festivals, it is not appropriate for a single state agency to manage these events.

The establishment of regulatory conditions for major concerts at the Gold Coast stadiums will applyexclusivelyto events held entirely within the stadium’s boundaryor tenure. This approach ensures clear delineation of regulatory responsibility, with festivals spanning both People First Stadium and council owned land being regulated solely by the City of Gold Coast. Planning and operation of festival events should also continue to be managed in consultation with Stadiums Queensland.

I would like to thank the Ticket Brokers Association of Australia for their interest in the bill. The association is a professional industry body made up of several Australian-based marketplaces and individual brokers who represent the interests of the secondary ticket market in Australia. The association raised a number of issues in the interest of their stakeholders, including a recommendation to increase the allowable ticket resale threshold from 10 per cent above the original price of the ticket to 20 to 30 per cent to reflect business costs of lawful ticket resellers and align with international practice.

We have considered this carefully and we must put Queenslanders first. As set out in the department’s response to this submission, the 10 per cent margin provides a fair opportunity for individuals who can no longer attend an event to recover the ticket price, along with any associated resale costs, without opening the door to the kind of predatory profiteering that Labor allowed to fester for years.

In Queensland, the regulation of unlawful ticket reselling under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and the Major Events Act 2014 is specifically designed to prevent inappropriate profiteering by third parties who have no connection to the event. Selling tickets significantly above their face value not only is a barrier to entry that makes it harder for Queensland families to afford a night out but also jeopardises the commercial agreements between event organisers and their sponsors that keep our major events viable. Our position is clear: we want a service-led secondary market, not a scalper-led one. The association also took the opportunity of the committee inquiry to raise broader challenges in the regulation of ticket resale and suggest principles for the future approach to reselling in Queensland.

Queensland takes a collaborative, industry-led approach to managing unlawful ticket reselling. We are not here to play ‘big brother’. We are here to support an industry that works for ticketing providers, event organisers, promoters and, most importantly, the fans.

Queensland legislation already permits the onselling of tickets as part of hospitality packages. Venue hirers at Stadiums Queensland facilities can bundle tickets with travel or accommodation and engage third-party providers to sell these packages subject to contractual rules that safeguard the commercial interests of Stadiums Queensland, service providers and hirers. Continuing to allow these packages is crucial for driving our tourism economy and supporting third-party providers who add genuine value to the fan experience.

Key measures to deter ticket scalping include enforcing ticket terms and conditions that prohibit resale or onselling, delaying the release of tickets to ticketing apps, limiting the window for onselling and supporting ticketing companies in operating their own resale platforms for consumers unable to attend events. However, flexibility must be balanced with integrity.

We support our commercial partners, and Stadiums Queensland maintains ticketing agreements with Ticketek, Ticketmaster and AXS—all of which offer platforms for consumers to resell tickets they no longer need. Resale platforms run by these ticketing providers are designed to be transparent and consumer-friendly, ensuring buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. These measures help minimise consumer harm and reduce the risk of fraud in the ticketing market, and we will continue to work together in implementing commonsense measures to deter scalping.

Introducing additional regulatory measures such as a licensing framework for ticket resale platforms is considered unnecessary red tape. Therefore, the aim of this bill is not to overhaul the broader regulatory framework for ticket reselling in Queensland. Instead, the proposed amendments focus on discouraging unlawful ticket reselling for events at major sports facilities declared under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and at major events declared under the Major Events Act 2014. This will be achieved byaligning maximum penalties with those in other jurisdictions—particularlyNew South Wales, which is Queensland’s main competitor in attracting event content—and by removing the offence of purchasing an unlawfully resold ticket.

For too long, Labor allowed our penalties to languish, making us less competitive in the hunt for global event content. By increasing these fines and, crucially, removing the offence for purchasing a ticket, we are shifting the focus from punishing the victim to penalising the perpetrator. These changes are designed to: protect individuals who have lawfully purchased tickets; safeguard the interests of event organisers and sponsors; and establish a strong, modern regulatory framework that sends a clear signal to event organisers and sponsors to choose Queensland as their destination for hosting events. By safeguarding these commercial agreements, we are protecting the future of Queensland’s golden age of events leading up to 2032.

Last, but certainly not least, many thanks to Stadiums Queensland for their support of the bill. Stadiums Queensland worked closely with the department in the development of this bill. I thank CEO Todd Harris and his officers for their expertise in assisting the department to make this legislation as robust and fit for purpose as it could be. Stadiums Queensland will continue to be a key stakeholder as we move forward with implementation and consultation on proposed amendments to the regulation.

In summary, the bill introduces key amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 to introduce a head of power under the act to exclude liquor licensing and local laws in relation to conditions for amplified music from special events such as concerts which will streamline regulations for stadium operators. This change will allow concert noise conditions to be set directly under the regulation, addressing liquor licencing constraints that currently require concerts to finish by 10 pm and aligning with the 10.30 pm industry standard to maximise venue use and attract more events, particularly at People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. The bill ensures the override of local laws is narrowly applied to noise-related matters for special events only, avoiding unintended impacts on other aspects of event management such as traffic and parking.

The bill will also strengthen deterrents for unlawful ticket reselling by increasing maximum penalties for individuals and corporations—this approach ensures alignment with penalties in other Australian jurisdictions—and removing the offence of purchasing tickets above 10 per cent of their original price, encouraging reporting of unlawful reselling and to harmonise with national practices. The bill will also modernise governance provisions for the Stadiums Queensland Board to update processes for appointment, termination, resignation and vacancies and allow the Governor in Council to appoint a deputy chairperson to strengthen leadership, support succession planning and manage strategic risks. Finally for the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001, the bill will update the definition of ‘aircraft’ to include unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, ensuring these are captured under unauthorised advertising provisions to address ambush marketing.

The bill also makes important amendments to the Major Events Act 2014 to ensure Queensland’s legislative framework for major events remains contemporary, consistent and capable of supporting the state’s growing event portfolio. The amendments to the Major Events Act 2014 are designed to provide alignment and consistency with the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001, particularly in relation to ticketing- reselling provisions, and to strengthen the overall effectiveness of Queensland’s event governance framework. These updates ensure that both acts operate cohesively, providing clarity for promoters, organisers and enforcement agencies while supporting a seamless and efficient approach to event delivery across the state.

In addition, the bill makes a series of technical and machinery-in-nature amendments to the Major Events Act 2014. These changes modernise the language of the legislation, remove ambiguity and improve the precision and consistency of key provisions. They will also ensure the Major Events Act 2014 remains clear and fit for purpose for current and emerging event models. Importantly, these refinements represent the first step in a broader program of legislative review to ensure the Major Events Act 2014 continues to reflect best practice as Queensland approaches the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Through these amendments, the Crisafulli government is taking early action to future-proof Queensland’s major events framework, reducing complexity, improving regulatory agility and ensuring our legislation continues to deliver the right balance between community benefit, commercial opportunity and efficient administration. The Crisafulli government is committed to ensuring Queensland remains a world leader in event delivery. These initial updates to the Major Events Act 2014 strengthen the foundations of that vision and reaffirm our commitment to a dynamic, globally competitive and well-governed events sector that benefits communities right across the state.

I would also like to move that amendments be made to the bill. First, in relation to technical amendments to be made to the Major Events Act, I would like to move that the commencement of these provisions occurs on a date to be fixed by proclamation.

The Gold Coast will host six matches of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup between 1 and 21 March 2026, injecting an expected $12.5 million into the Queensland economy. It was great to see Football Queensland here today giving everybody an Australian jersey with their name on it. We expect you to wear that when you are either down the coast or watching that on television. A regulation declaring this important international event as a ‘major event’ under the Major Events Act is expected to be considered by the Governor in Council very shortly.

By commencing these technical amendments on a date to be set by proclamation, this government can ensure the declaration remains valid and effective, given it will be made under the act prior to any amendments made by this bill. This approach also allows the increased penalties for unlawful ticket reselling under both the Major Events Act and the Major Sports Facilities Act to commence at the same time, pending assent of the bill. That alignment will strengthen deterrence against unlawful ticketing activity in the lead-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and help protect the integrity and safe delivery of this major international event.

Secondly, and importantly, I would like to move that urgent amendments to the Racing Queensland board appointment and composition provisions within the Racing Act 2000 be included in the bill to fast-track implementation of relevant recommendations approved by the government from the independent Racing Review to ensure that meaningful and timely change is delivered for the Queensland racing industry and regions. This government is about action, not secret reviews. We are getting on with the implementation of the recommendations because we know that the Queensland racing industry cannot afford to wait.

These amendments seek to implement the legislative component of recommendations 3, 4, 77 and 88 of the independent Racing Review and will serve to deliver on the government’s commitment to reform the Racing Queensland board by increasing the flexibility of the board, including broadening the pool of eligible candidates, simplifying board appointment processes and ensuring broad industry representation on the board, including from each of the board codes of racing—thoroughbred, harness and greyhound—as well as up to six other members who have skills and experience in one or more of the relevant areas or live in a rural or regional part of Queensland.

This government is committed to moving towards a modern, agile governance structure. This commonsense approach to industrystewardship prioritises transparency, protects integrity and delivers a better deal for Queenslanders. Racing’s impact on the state is now close to $2.5 billion per year and is responsible for around 14,500 full-time jobs for Queenslanders, so it is vital we ensure it will grow and prosper well into the future. This government is backing Queensland’s racing industry.

Our regions are the heartbeat of racing in this state. For too long the challenges faced by our regional tracks and trainers were overlooked by the former Labor government. By enshrining regional representation in this legislation, we are ensuring that the voices of those who live and work in our country towns are heard at the highest level of decision-making. It is proposed that these amendments to the Racing Act commence on a date to be fixed by proclamation.

Finally, today we are also taking another important step in ensuring the successful planning and delivery of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For 1,200 days the former Labor government failed to deliver a plan for the 2032 games. Since the Crisafulli government’s 2032 Delivery Plan set a clear path out of Labor’s chaos we have put the games back on track, and we are getting on with the job of delivering generational infrastructure in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond.

We have remained firmly focused on delivery, and in less than a year since the Delivery Plan was announced Queenslanders are seeing that, for the Crisafulli government, promises made are promises kept. Through the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021, we are introducing a series of targeted administrative amendments that enable the commencement of works and ensure keygenerational infrastructure projects across Queensland are able to be progressed under the streamlined pathway created to ensure delivery in time for the games. The Crisafulli government recognises that these amendments are not to be taken lightly, but they are necessary—as a result of more than three years of inaction, indecision and backflips from the former Labor government—to reach our 2032 deadline.

When the Crisafulli government amended the BOPGA Act in 2025, the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations indicated that subsequent amendments would be made for games infrastructure projects, including those defined in the 2032 Delivery Plan, to be added in schedules to the act as project planning progressed. These amendments formally recognise the Brisbane Athlete Village—a key housing legacy of the 2032 Delivery Plan—in the act so that its planning pathway may be accelerated. This designation is essential to support the timely delivery of a world-class home for our athletes for the duration of the games after the former Labor government forgot to fund the villages.

In August last year we announced the commencement of heritage restoration works on the Brisbane Showgrounds arena. The inclusion of the Brisbane Athlete Village today provides planning certainty to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland and our village development partner so that further works can commence onsite after this year’s Ekka.

The Crisafulli government is proud to be hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games that delivers for all of Queensland, which is why we are also incorporating games related transport infrastructure that provides generational legacy. This also ensures that transport projects that are critical to the movement of athletes, officials and spectators are captured in the legislative framework and delivered in time for the games. Transport projects will deliver benefits right across Queensland. The Wave on the Sunshine Coast, the Coomera Connector and the Cairns Western Arterial Road are all transformational projects delivering legacy transport outcomes that support Queensland’s growing population.

The amendments also provide the necessary tenure for the new Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre at Victoria Park, and both projects were included in the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 last year. These provisions are administrative in nature and ensure the various land tenures across Victoria Park will vest unencumbered in the GIICA so that works can commence in June 2026. The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, GIICA and Brisbane City Council are working collaboratively to support this transition, including working with tenants to ensure works can get underway.

We have hit the ground running on games delivery in 2026, announcing the principal architects, COX and Hassell, with Azusa Sekkei, for the new Brisbane Stadium. These amendments continue this momentum and provide the certainty GIICA needs to continue delivery. We are also including the landmark Gabba arena, which is part of the transformative Gabba entertainment and housing precinct, as an ‘other venue’ under the act.

When the Delivery Plan was released, the Crisafulli government recognised the importance of delivering a new indoor arena for Queensland in the heart of Brisbane and commenced a market process to find an investment and delivery partner from the private sector. With strong national and international interest and the competitive transaction process underway, the inclusion of the Gabba arena within the BOPGA Act provides a clear commitment to investors that the Crisafulli government is prepared to prioritise its delivery. Recognising its potential for the 2032 Games, these amendments reduce risk and complexityto provide a clear runwayfor the bold transformation of this significant legacy precinct. The amendments clarify that the role of GIICA will only be required to oversee other venues— such as the Gabba arena—when directed by the minister.

Finally, a number of consequential amendments have been made, including clarification that development undertaken for a games-related use may be utilised prior to the games. This provides flexibility and supports the practical delivery of infrastructure in the lead-up to 2032. It is no secret that we have a shorter runway to get these games back on track after Labor’s chaos and crisis. These amendments will ensure these venues and villages critical to Queensland’s long-term future can get built in time. Together, these updates support a number of 2032 Delivery Plan once-in-a-generation projects moving from planning to efficient and effective delivery. It also reinforces our commitment to delivering a games that all of Queensland can be proud of—a games for all of Queensland.

Once again, I thank the organisations that made submissions on the bill and the committee for its prompt consideration. Consistent with the committee’s first recommendation, I commend the bill to the House.

Hon. GJ BUTCHER (Gladstone—ALP) (4.32 pm): I rise to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The opposition will be supporting this bill. We do so not because it is perfect but because, on balance, it enhances some areas of law and regulation which will support major sports facilities and major events into the future. At its core, the bill seeks to modernise how major stadiums are managed, strengthen consumer protections around ticket reselling—which we know is vitally important—and improve the governance framework for Stadiums Queensland. Those are sensible objectives and they are objectives which Queensland Labor has consistently supported. Where the bill succeeds, it does so by responding to industry realities, community feedback and issues raised through the committee process.Where questions remain, it is incumbent on the LNP government to answer them through clear guidance and disciplined implementation.

The bill amends three key legislative frameworks: the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001, the Major Events Act 2014 and the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014. The government says these changes will support an effective and efficient regulatory regime and deliver best practice governance for Stadiums Queensland. The opposition agrees with that direction, but we will also be watching very closely to ensure that these reforms are delivered in a way that protects communities, consumers and public confidence.

Queensland prides itself on having world-class venues—from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to People First Stadium at Carrara and Cbus Super Stadium at Robina. These are not just entertainment assets; they are publicly owned facilities that carry economic, social and community responsibilities with them. Theydrive jobs, tourism and local business activities, but they also sit in real neighbourhoods alongside real residents. That is why getting the regulatory settings right matters to those people. The challenge for government, and the test for this bill, is whether it can modernise the system while maintaining proper safeguards for fans, neighbours and taxpayers.

Let me turn to the amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act, particularly those dealing with concerts, event finish times and noise regulation. The opposition acknowledges the reality of the modern live music and events market. Rigid and inconsistent curfews have, in practice, made Queensland less competitive in securing major touring acts. Removing liquor-licensing constraints that have effectively forced some concerts to finish by 10 pm is a sensible step, particularly where it creates consistency across Stadiums Queensland venues in South-East Queensland.

However, support for later finishes must never be read as indifference to community impact. The bill attempts to strike that balance by deeming the general environmental duty to be met where prescribed, evidence-based noise conditions are complied with. That framework can work, but only if compliance responsibilities are clear and enforcement is credible. The City of Gold Coast has raised legitimate practical questions about this: who is the responsible authorityfor noise compliance, and how will events be managed when they extend onto adjacent council owned land?

These are not academic concerns; they go directly to accountability. Our position is straightforward. The government must provide unambiguous guidance so that promoters, councils and residents around stadiums all know who is responsible and how issues will be addressed at that time. Ambiguity benefits no-one, especially not the local community around the stadiums.

Ticket scalping remains one of the most visible and frustrating failures in the events ecosystem. When tickets disappear in seconds and reappear at grossly inflated prices, it is ordinary Queenslanders who lose out. The opposition supports the bill’s move to increase penalties for unlawful ticket reselling and to focus enforcement on those who profit from this behaviour. We also support the removal of the offence for purchasing tickets above 10 per cent of face value. Consumers are overwhelmingly victims in this space, not perpetrators, and the law should reflect that reality. Encouraging reporting rather than discouraging it is the right policy choice. Labor has consistently advocated for stronger consumer protections in the ticketing market, and we will always stand up for Queenslanders who just want a fair go, particularly when it comes to ticketing. Our support for these reforms is grounded in that principle, and it must be reflected in how the laws are implemented.

Consumer protection must be the No. 1 priority. These laws will only succeed if they are administered in a way that actively protects Queenslanders from exploitation rather than shifting risk or responsibility onto fans. Enforcement strategies, compliance resources and cooperation with ticketing platforms must be designed first and foremost to stop those predatory practices before they occur, not simply to respond after harm has already been done to locals.

Industry stakeholders, including Live Performance Australia, have been clear about the damage scalping does to trust and accessibility. Stadiums Queensland has also welcomed greater consistency. The opposition agrees that enforcement should target organised, often offshore, operators using bots and bulk-purchasing tactics, not fans who just want to take their family to a game of footy or a concert. Proposals raised by the Ticket Brokers Association, including licensing models and exemptions, warrant further consideration as part of this bill, but only against a clear test: do they strengthen consumer protection, transparency and enforcement later on? Convenience for resellers cannot come at the expense of fairness for fans of footy games and concerts.

The bill’s governance reforms for Stadiums Queensland, particularly the removal of at-will termination of board members, are welcome. Stable, skills-based boards are essential for managing assets of this scale and public importance. That said, the opposition cannot ignore the broader context. It is notable that the government is embracing stability and independence in this statutory body while pursuing greater executive discretion elsewhere. This was seen with the recent amendments to the Forensic Science Queensland Act 2024, removing the independent status of Forensic Science Queensland and giving the Attorney-Generalthe power to appoint and terminate the director of Forensic Science Queensland at will.

Good governance principles should apply consistently across government. If stability builds confidence and performance here, it should do so everywhere. With greater board stability comes greater responsibility, greater transparency and also engagement with communities and a clear communication about major commercial and strategic decisions that are being made. We expect that standard to be met in Queensland.

The inclusion of drones in unauthorised advertising provisions is a practical and overdue update. Event ambush marketing undermines legitimate commercial partnerships that help fund these major events and keep ticket prices in check and affordable for families. This is a sensible modernisation. Similarly, the technical amendments to the Major Events Act allowing staged activation of provisions for complex multiday events reflect the operational reality faced by police, councils and the organisers of those events. These are pragmatic changes and the opposition supports them.

Our support for this bill is not a blank cheque. We will be watching the implementation of these closely, particularly clear guidance on responsibility at the Gold Coast venues. The government should publish unambiguous guidance on which entity—state or council—has the lead responsibility for noise compliance and event coordination, especially where events involve adjacent council land. That clarity will prevent duplication and help residents know whom to call when any issues arise.

I turn to enforcement against unlawful reselling. The penalty settings matter, but they only deter if they are used. We expect a dedicated compliance effort including intelligence-led monitoring and cooperation with platforms to target organised resellers, particularly those operating offshore or using bots to bypass legitimate purchasing limits. Also, extended finish times must be matched by practical mitigation, transport planning, crowd dispersal of people out of the stadiums and transparent noise management. Residents have a right to quiet enjoyment. Promoters have a right to run world-class shows. This bill can deliver both if operational detail is done well.

Board governance that builds trust is important. With greater stability at Stadiums Queensland comes a greater responsibility to communicate about strategy, about community impact and about the commercial rationale for major decisions being made. Transparency builds legitimacy. The opposition, as I said, supports this bill because it moves Queensland in the right direction towards modern, practical regulation that supports major events while also recognising community and consumer interests. However, legislation is only as good as its delivery. Where councils and industry have raised legitimate concerns, the government must now provide that clarity, coordination and enforcement. Queenslanders deserve vibrant venues, those world-class events and a ticketing system that is fair to all. This bill can help deliver that outcome if the government gets those details right.

I am aware also—as we heard today before the second reading of his bill—of amendments which have been circulated by the Minister for Sport. I must say, it is certainly disappointing that the minister did not circulate these earlier and they have not gone through a committee process. This is just another example of the LNP government trying to do things in secret. The deputy leader and the shadow minister for transport will have more to say about that later this evening. As I said before, the opposition supports this bill and I, like many Queenslanders, look forward to continuing to watch events at major stadiums here in Queensland, particularly the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, in 2026. Go the mighty Broncos!

Mr McDONALD (Lockyer—LNP) (4.43 pm): I am very proud to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill this afternoon. As chair of the committee that considered this bill, I thank the Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games for his and his team’s great efforts in bringing the bill into the House and for the opportunity to have that inquiry. I place on record also our appreciation to the Deputy Premier and his office and the Premier for their support of this bill, the continuing development and enhancement of the development plan for the Brisbane Olympics and the amendments that have been brought here today. When this was raised earlier, the Deputy Premier highlighted that there will be other additions. I am pleased to see those other additions occur today as well as the amendments with regard to the Racing Review that will allow the timely delivery of those things.

With regard to the major sports facilities bill that the committee inquired into, I can tell honourable members that Queensland is open for business. We are here to make sure we have major events right across the state. That is something I am looking forward to. That is something I believe all Queenslanders are looking forward to. If there is any indication from my relatives across Australia and overseas, they are excited to be coming to Queensland, too—not just for the Olympics but also for all of the lead-up events to it. I know that a lot of people are even moving to Queensland because of that opportunity. It is great to welcome them—as long as they come here and wear maroon when the Queensland State of Origin team plays.

I would like to thank all of the submitters to, and witnesses before, the committee. Queensland is open for business and we have a modern entertainment sector, but it is going to be enhanced by these changes and by making sure things are simplified and well understood. As the minister said, we want to provide clarity—clarity for Queenslanders and spectators but also for promoters and those involved in the industry. That is something they called out for.

I also give a shout-out to Stadiums Queensland. They do a wonderful job at our venues across Queensland. I must say, I am always enthusiastic to be in their company because they understand stadiums. I was pleased to hear that Cox and Hassell were appointed the architects of the new Olympic venue here. I had the absolute honour to represent some of us at a meeting in Perth to see what they have done there. It was amazing. We need to make sure learnings from that stadium are applied here to deliver quality outcomes for all Queenslanders as a great legacy. Some of those things relate to the enjoyment of entertainment at that stadium. It is about making sure people can get in there easily, can spend a lot of time there and can get food and beverages very easily while they enjoy whatever events are on there.

They have a very smart way of handling the merchandising in their stadiums and facilities. That is about not having an overabundance of permanent advertising and markings but having electronic fields and screens which can be changed very quickly to accommodate the relevant sport and the necessary sponsors and participants. We have world-class stadium event managers here, and it is great to be in their company and learn from what they have done both here in Australia and overseas. I am excited to see those things rolled out.

This bill contains some very clear and simple things, particularly with regard to the stadiums at the Gold Coast and the adjustment of times to ensure we catch major events and concerts involving international artists. Over time there has been neglect in attracting big artists coming here. We are looking forward to rectifying that to maximise those opportunities.

One of the things the committee took a long time to consider—and we did have some really great advice with regard to this—was ticket scalping in the modern era, with the technology that is being used to trick and defraud people. It is something all consumers have to be aware of. They should only go to trusted sites. That is why Stadiums Queensland partners with some very trusted ticket suppliers. If people are not going through those avenues to purchase tickets and are looking elsewhere, they are probably going to be defrauded. That was one of the reasons we included recommendation 3: to make sure the department continues to keep up to date with the changing face of these things. The changing status of AI and all of those things that are continually improving is something the department will keep an eye on, and we wanted to make sure that continues. I have every confidence it will, because this government actually works together with the different departments.

I recognise that the Minister for Sport highlighted in his speech that working with Police, Justice and Fair Trading to make sure they keep track of those things in the best interests of Queenslanders is something we will do as a government. I am pleased to accept the challenge from the shadow minister that the government must keep an eye on these things. We certainly will be doing that to protect and ensure the best outcome for Queenslanders. There is a multifaceted approach to all of these things, but the main thing is to ensure Queensland has a vibrant events sector, and this bill is part of the development of that sector.

I now turn to the efforts of the Deputy Premier and his team with regard to the changes that are being made in these amendments. This is something that Queenslanders have been crying out for. Twelve months before the election we said that we would deliver a development plan. We said that we would establish an independent delivery authority—and we did that—and it has delivered the development plan and we are seeing that being gone through at the moment.

The Deputy Premier highlighted that there would be additional areas added into that and this bill and its amendments are the first suite of those, so we welcome those inclusions in order to continue the rollout of the development plan and to ensure that we all have certainty about what is going on so that we continue to move forward. It is very pleasing to see that in just 12 months we are able to roll out the next phase of this. It was March last year that GIICA handed down its development plan, so members can see that we are progressing these things. We are not just having red carpet events or talking about it or appointing ourselves to things; we are listening to very smart people in the independent delivery authority. Stephen Conry and the other members of his team are doing a great job.

The importance of protecting Queenslanders in terms of scalping and other issues when they attend stadiums cannot be understated. During the inquiry concerns were expressed by some people from Victoria who were worried that they might not be able to buy a number or group of tickets and then package them together in order to sell a package to a particular event to their clients. We sought clarification on that and we received advice that that was not the case and that those sorts of things could happen. That is not onselling and putting a premium on it; that is just putting a package of tickets together for people to come and enjoy a tourism experience. We appreciate the department responding to those questions.

I also place on the record my appreciation to the secretariat and the teams in each of the departments for the work they have done on this bill. I also thank my colleagues the member for Cook and the member for Mulgrave and the opposition members on the committee for the work that they have done on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I believe that we had a very fair and fulsome inquiry and were able to get to the bottom of a couple of areas that were of concern. I certainly was very satisfied with the outcomes that we came to, but that would not have been possible if not for the way in which the minister and his team worked with us.

I also thank the minister, the Deputy Premier and the Premier for together delivering these outcomes for Queensland to ensure that the Olympics and Paralympics are something that Queenslanders can be very proud of, not just in the future but in the lead-up to the games and the legacy that those games will leave. I am certainly very proud to be part of the team that is able to deliver and consider these things. I am sure, Mr Deputy Speaker Furner, that you would agree that there are many more exciting things to happen, but this is a focus that we will all enjoy.

Mr MELLISH(Aspley—ALP) (4.54 pm): I am happy to follow the committee chair in speaking in this debate. This was a fairly sensible examination of the bill and it was pretty straightforward on what are fairly sensible measures—that was until we saw the late circulated amendments slipped in today, foreshadowed by the Deputy Premier. These are amendments that the Crisafulli LNP government has added on the last day which will essentially add to a legislative schedule that switches off normal planning, heritage and environmental laws in relation to the Brisbane Athlete Village; the Gabba arena; the Wave stages 1, 2 and 3; the Mooloolah River Interchange—a project which has no timeframe and no budget despite early works having started; the Coomera Connector stage 2—again, another project with no timeframe, no budget, no funding; the Cairns Western Arterial Road upgrade, which was revealed by the member for Cairns this week to have been sent back to the drawing board; and the Shute Harbour recreational boating facility. These amendments have added these projects to a legislative schedule which switches off normal planning, heritage and environmental laws.

There will be no development application process, no public notification period, no formal opportunity to lodge objections, no third-party appeal rights, no independent review, no transparency. Communities are asking when they will be consulted and how they will be involved in shaping projects which will not just be there for the Olympics but forever. Under the Crisafulli government, they will not get a say. Queenslanders currently have more formal input into a boundary fence, a backyard shed or a house next door than into multibillion dollar infrastructure projects.

Under this government, transparency is being reframed as ‘delay’ and community involvement is being labelled as ‘red tape’. Just today I spoke in this chamber about the Beerwah station plans of the government which would resume the 90-year-old Beerwah Co-Op, a group the transport minister is refusing to meet with despite over 6½ thousand petitioners. This government in these amendments now says to Beerwah, ‘You may as well throw that feedback in the bin,’ because this project can be approved without any community consultation. Under these rushed amendments, which have been given half a day’s notice and zero scrutiny, those locals will not have a say.

We know the Deputy Premier owns property along the proposed Wave rail line. The Deputy Premier owns property along this proposed rail line right near a proposed new station, so presumably he is fine with these things, but others may not be. Rushing through laws which remove any parliamentary or public scrutiny of a project which materially benefits the Deputy Premier’s financial interests: that is what we are talking about today.

Mr STEVENS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. The member for Aspley referred to things before the Ethics Committee and I ask him to withdraw.

Mr MELLISH: If I can assist on that point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Furner): Please do.

Mr MELLISH: These matters are not before the Ethics Committee. That is a related matter but is not what I am talking about today.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will take some advice from the clerks at the table. Member for Aspley, can you give an assurance that this is a matter that is not before the Ethics Committee?

Mr MELLISH: I am very happy to give an assurance that this matter is not before the Ethics Committee in the way in which I am speaking about it.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. Please proceed.

Mr MELLISH: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. This is rushing through laws when the Deputy Premier has stated that he has interests along this rail line. That is not up for debate and will—

Mr LANGBROEK: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order.

Mr MELLISH: This is a protection racket. This is clearly—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Take your seat please, member for Aspley.

Mr LANGBROEK: Mr Deputy Speaker, I think this is very dangerous territory. The Deputy Premier has clearly expressed a number of times that he has made clear explanations, including to authorities, about his declarations. Trying to smear, as the shadow minister is currently doing, is completely inappropriate when he cannot validate his claim that the Ethics Committee is not investigating all aspects of the Deputy Premier’s ownership of his house along this prospective rail line.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have had assurances that it is not before the committee, so I call the member for Aspley to continue.

Mr MELLISH: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. When you are on the LNP backbench and you are trying to get a road approved in your local area or you are trying to get a school hall built and you are pitching to the Premier, the Deputy Premier and the Treasurer, just know that the Deputy Premier is spending his time in this chamber rushing through legislation which benefits his financial interests.

Mr LANGBROEK: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order.

Mr MELLISH: This rushed-through bill will benefit the Deputy Premier’s interests.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Aspley, take your seat. What is your point of order?

Mr LANGBROEK: Mr Deputy Speaker, there are clear imputations that the shadow minister is making, having given an assurance that the issues that he has raised are not before the Ethics Committee. It is clear that you cannot just say anything you like in a debate, having given a verbal assurance that the matter is not before the Ethics Committee, when the Deputy Premier has made numerous declarations about this very matter. You cannot just come in here and say anything you like about anything with a tenuous connection.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I understand that. What is your point of order?

Mr LANGBROEK: That this is not relevant to the long title of the bill.

Mr BAILEY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. The acting Leader of the House, if he has concerns, knows the process. He can write, as is his right, to the Speaker. That is the appropriate process. This is not a place to argue the matter at hand.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Once again, member for Aspley, I will get you to reinforce your assurance that this is not a matter before the Ethics Committee.

Mr MELLISH: Absolutely, Deputy Speaker, in the way that I am talking about this project. The matter before the Ethics Committee, as I understand it, is around whether the Deputy Premier has made a declaration. I am making no accusation that the Deputy Premier has not made a declaration. If I can continue my contribution?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Maybe an explanation of the relevance to the bill before the House would be helpful.

Mr MELLISH: To explain the relevance, the amendments here clearly outline transport infrastructure, including the transport infrastructure project that I am referring to, which will be fast-tracked under the amendments to this bill. That is very clear. There is a media release here from the Deputy Premier today outlining this exact project—the Wave project—and these amendments would allow this project to bypass planning approvals.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Given the standing orders, the Speaker has arrived and I am going to have him replace me.

Mr MELLISH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. If I can continue my contribution? Might I continue my contribution, Speaker?

Mr SPEAKER: Wait until I give you the call. Member, from what I can hear, the contribution you are making at the moment has no relevance to the bill as we have it. You have no evidence—you have nothing to support what you are saying, and I will ask you to come back to the long title of the bill or you will be sat down.

Mr STEVENS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order.

Mr MELLISH: I am speaking to the amendments.

Mr SPEAKER: Resume your seat—last warning. Member for Mermaid Beach?

Mr STEVENS: My point of order is as chairman of the Ethics Committee. I am terribly embarrassed about the assurance that the member has given to the Deputy Speaker previously in the chair, because the matters he raised directly impinge upon the considerations of the Ethics Committee and I shall be writing to you.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you very much for that point of order. Member for Aspley, you will talk to the bill or I will be taking serious action—last warning.

Mr MELLISH: I am happy to speak on the bill and the amendments to the bill which will bypass planning approvals, which will bypass heritage approvals, which will bypass parliamentary scrutiny, which will bypass public scrutiny of a range of Olympics-related infrastructure and Olympics-related transport infrastructure. If there is a late amendment to the amendment that removes those from the bill I am happy to no longer speak about those, but I will continue speaking about what these amendments will do to projects which the Deputy Premier has flagged. This is major, generational infrastructure and it deserves more than three hours scrutiny. It deserves more than a cursory glance by this parliament. This should have gone through a proper committee process.

Mr JAMES (Mulgrave—LNP) (5.04 pm): I rise to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The primary objective of this bill is to support an effective and efficient regulatory regime for major events and major sports facilities, ensuring they continue to deliver social and economic benefits for Queensland. It also aims to provide statutory body best practice in governance, accountability and commercial agility.

Mulgrave is a community passionate about sport. It is especially rewarding to see so many families and children making use of our regional sporting facilities each week. While Mulgrave boasts outstanding sports infrastructure, it is clear these facilities must be expanded to keep pace with our growing population. This will ensure that our aspiring athletes are well prepared for the opportunities presented by the 2032 Olympics. Another key interest for Mulgrave residents is attending major entertainment shows and concerts. Often this requires travelling to larger centres to see artists who are unable to visit every region in Queensland. When this occurs, our community members frequent major stadiums in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. The amendments in this bill are designed to provide these venues with greater flexibility and to enhance protections for event goers from unlawful ticket sellers.

The Major Sports Facilities Act 2021 established Stadiums Queensland as the authority responsible for managing, operating, developing and promoting major sports facilities in Queensland. These facilities are capable of hosting national and international sporting, recreational, entertainment and special events. The Major Events Act 2014 provides a flexible legislative framework for various major events, ensuring the safetyof visitors and spectators and protecting the rights of event organisers and sponsors. The bill seeks to remove liquor licensing restrictions that currently require concerts at major sports facilities to finish by 10 pm. The new standard will allow events to conclude at 10.30 pm, aligning with industry norms. This change is expected to attract more concerts to the Gold Coast, especially to Carrara Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium, and foster commercial parity with Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The bill proposes to increase penalties for unlawful ticket reselling—scalping. It will also remove the offence for buyers who purchase tickets at more than 10 per cent above the original price, focusing enforcement on the sellers and deterring unlawful reselling. The definition of ‘aircraft’ will be updated to explicitly include drones, clarifying that unauthorised aerial advertising is prohibited during declared special events at major sports facilities.

The bill aims to create a more fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for managing major events, improving governance, accountability and commercial agility. This includes changes related to the appointment, termination, resignation and vacancy of Stadiums Queensland board directors. The bill provides a streamlined pathway for the delivery of venues, villages and transport infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games by limiting review rights and creating a streamlined 2032 corporation board for efficient decision-making. The bill introduces requirements for the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority to share information with the relevant department and gives the Queensland government observer status at corporation board and committee meetings to maintain oversight.

The bill has been developed in consultation with a range of external stakeholders including Stadiums Queensland, the Australian Football League—operators of Carrara Stadium and People First Stadium—the City of Gold Coast and several government departments such as the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation in the Department of Justice and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. Community consultation on regulating special events at Carrara Stadium, People First Stadium and Robina Stadium/Cbus Super Stadium in a manner similar to Suncorp Stadium was conducted in 2024.

These changes will bring Queensland into line with other states such as New South Wales and Victoria which also have legislation regulating major events, sporting facilities and unlawful ticket selling. The proposed amendments to maximum penalties for ticket scalping are intended to align Queensland with these other jurisdictions.

In closing, I reiterate that stadium events are extremely popular for young people and families across Queensland. The proposed changes will better protect them from illegal scalpers and offer greater flexibility regarding event timing. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr HEALY (Cairns—ALP) (5.09 pm): The Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 is legislation that this House can support. We on this side of the chamber are very happy to support it. Its objectives are sensible, its mechanisms are proportionate and its outcomes align with the realities of modern major event delivery. It strengthens Queensland’s capability to attract world-class concerts and sporting events, protects consumers from ticket scalping and modernises governance arrangements at Stadiums Queensland. These are all worthwhile reforms. However, it is also important to place this bill in its proper context.

The intent, architecture and policy direction underpinning these reforms did not emerge spontaneously under the current government. The nucleus of this legislation was clearly formed under the previous Labor government which in early 2024 undertook extensive community consultation on extending stadium special event finishing times to 10.30 pm. We went across the state to all of the areas that are involved and there was some fierce feedback, but the majority of people were very keen to see these changes. That is why I make the comment that we are all very happy to see support for the bill from throughout the chamber. The consultation was measured, it was evidence-based and it was overwhelmingly supported by the community. It recognised that Queensland’s major events must remain competitive in a national and international events market where rigid curfews increasingly act as a deterrent to promoters, performers and, just as importantly, broadcasters.

We are now seeing the continuation and implementation of a Labor-led vision. Once again, the LNP government has arrived in office and found itself legislating reforms that were already well developed, well consulted and well supported under the previous Labor government. That is not a criticism of the bill. I acknowledge that good ideas should endure beyond political cycles. However, it is important to be honest about where the work began and whose strategic thinking shaped it.

The amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 appropriately align finishing times at Carrara and Robina with those that have long applied at Suncorp Stadium. Theyremove outdated liquor licensing constraints that artificially capped concerts at 10 pm and constrained venue utilisation. This had a big impact on Queensland’s ability to bring big names to our state and was certainly identified as a restriction. The bill strikes a careful balance by ensuring environmental obligations are met through prescribed regulatory conditions rather than blunt prohibitions that serve neither residents nor industry events well.

The strengthening of ticket scalping provisions is another area of clear merit. Increasing penalties for individuals and corporations whilst removing offences that inadvertently punish unwitting consumers reflects a more sophisticated and fair regulatory approach. Certainly the process of analysis identified that the technology that criminals have available to them these days is extensive and impressive. The ability to inadvertently punish unwitting consumers needs to be assessed, which is what is happening here. Aligning Queensland with other jurisdictions sends a clear message that large-scale profiteering at the expense of fans will not be tolerated. Rather, we will be encouraging reporting rather than the silence that has been the case in the past.

Governance reforms to the Stadiums Queensland board are also welcome. Ending the ability for directors to be terminated at will by the minister enhances institutional independence and stability. That is particularly notable given the contrast with recent moves elsewhere that have constrained ministerial control rather than restrained it.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Marr): Excuse me, member for Cairns. There is too much chatter from both sides. We can barely hear.

Mr HEALY: I am trying to make it as exciting as I can, Deputy Speaker. If I did a cartwheel I would hurt myself. Amendments to the Major Events Act 2014 and the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 are technical, sensible and supported by stakeholders. The fact that all submissions to the committee inquiry were supportive and that Labor members raised no statement of reservation speaks to the fundamentally sound nature of the reforms so we are supportive.

However, while this bill improves the operation of major venues in South-East Queensland it also throws into sharp relief a broader and more deeply concerning pattern under the Crisafulli government, which is a failure to meaningfully support sport, major events and high-profile infrastructure in regional Queensland, particularly in Cairns and the Far North. Whilst we are looking forward to seeing Barlow Park upgraded—when it starts—and we are very much looking forward to seeing the Cairns Western Arterial Road developed, we are also looking forward to seeing the budget and the timelines, as that is what the government is telling us will happen.

Mr Mickelberg interjected.

Mr HEALY: We have been having discussions with other people. I take that interjection from the minister. I appreciate that, but the failure to progress a high-performance sports centre in Cairns is emblematic of that neglect. Such a facility would be transformative. The North Queensland Cowboys’ willingness to contribute $10 million and underwrite the asset’s long-term viability is unprecedented. Given that would be in addition to the money that has been spent and that we would have an Olympic-class stadium, it is remarkable that we are not seeing any other investment. The Cairns Regional Council is 100 per cent behind this and the Cowboys are 100 per cent behind it. We have secured $15 million from the federal government as part of building a high-performance sports centre.

The demand is undeniable. The North Queensland Cowboys women’s team, the Northern Pride rugby league team, CQU, James Cook University, TAFE’s Academy of Sport, the Cairns Taipans, athletics and multiple sporting codes stand ready to use it if we had the support of the Crisafulli government. We are looking for that and we need it. It would also develop a new stream of sports tourism. As we head towards the Olympics, we know that Olympic teams from around the world will come to Queensland to train. They are going to be staying here in big numbers. We need to make sure we have that infrastructure. Cairns needs this piece of infrastructure. It is vitally important. We look forward to hearing some positive news in the near future.

Ms BUSH (Cooper—ALP) (5.22 pm): I rise to speak to the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. Overall, my speech was going to be reasonably positive, but I have just picked up the amendments that have been circulated by the minister this evening and now I unfortunately do have some concerns that I will get to.

I will start with the essence of what I wanted to talk about tonight. I am the deputy chair of the committee that oversaw this particular bill. At its heart, the bill is really about ensuring Queensland can host major sporting and entertainment events in a way that is modern, fair and fit for purpose while still respecting the people who live, work and raise families in and around those venues.

The bill achieves this through three key changes. Firstly, it updates the framework for how major events and special events are regulated at our major stadiums, particularly around concerts and large- scale entertainment. It removes outdated barriers that would have made it harder for some venues to host events that are now pretty much standard across Australia and internationally. Secondly, it strengthens the protections against ticket scalping, cracking down on unfair resale practices that drive up prices and lock everyday mums and dads out of events that they should be able to attend and enjoy. Thirdly, it improves the governance arrangements for Stadiums Queensland, ensuring clearer roles, stronger accountability and better decision-making for assets that belong to the public.

Taken together, these changes are about making better use of public infrastructure. They are about supporting jobs, supporting the local economy and ensuring Queensland can remain competitive as a destination for major events. All of those things, of course, the Labor opposition supports.

I want to speak particularly to the experience I have in my own electorate, where Suncorp Stadium—or, depending on your vintage, Lang Park—sits at the heart of an established entertainment precinct. For years, Suncorp Stadium has shown that it is possible to host major concerts and events in the middle of a densified inner-city community if you do it properly and do it well. I have to applaud the efforts of the successive leadership teams we have had at Suncorp Stadium.

In my time, I have had the pleasure of working alongside former general manager Alan Graham. Alan had an incredible capability in both considering operational matters and meeting the needs of tour operators and customers while keeping central the needs of our community. Alan recognised that Suncorp is not only a major sporting and events stadium but also a neighbour and that as a neighbour it has a responsibility to minimise the disruption that it causes to residents and to ensure local businesses can actually benefit from the major events that are hosted there.

Alan’s retirement in July last year left really large shoes to fill and I welcomed the incoming general manager, Darren Burden. I have had the pleasure of meeting Darren. I think he has a wonderful vision for Suncorp and I look forward to working alongside him to ensure Suncorp does remain the jewel in the crown for Brisbane’s entertainment and sporting events and continues to be a wonderful neighbour to our local residents.

Events at Suncorp operate under clear conditions. They have strict noise management, defined finishing times, detailed transport plans, community notification requirements and real accountability when things go wrong. Residents know when events are happening. Public transport is built into ticketing. Traffic and crowd management are planned in advance. Noise is monitored and reported on. When concerns are raised, there are strong mechanisms to respond to those.

The result is a precinct that is vibrant, economically active and culturally alive while still being a place where people live, work, sleep and raise their families. This experience at Suncorp shows us that, if managed correctly, we do not have to make the choice between live events and local amenity. With the right rules and having an engaged and present management team, we can in fact have both.

This bill seeks to extend that kind of consistent and modern framework across other Queensland major sporting stadiums including venues that have until now been operating under a bit of a patchwork of outdated regulatory arrangements. It recognises that our live performance industry has changed. As a committee we also heard from JC, Queensland’s Night-Life Economy Commissioner, about the changing shape of the live entertainment industry across Queensland. That experience is one that is shared right throughout the nation. There is a much greater demand now for major music events. Of course, we want to be able to rise to that challenge in Queensland. This bill recognises that artists, promoters and audiences operate on a national and global schedule and it recognises that if Queensland wants the jobs, tourism and cultural benefits that come with major events our regulatory settings have to keep up, without cutting corners on community impact.

In terms of ticket scalping, I agree with the strengthening of penalties and removing the perverse incentives to penalise buyers. Those of us who enjoy attending live events may have had firsthand experience of the frustration you feel when hundreds or thousands of tickets are snapped up by third parties and then onsold, often at an inflated price. Families saving up to take their kids to a concert or to a game should not be priced out by unfair resale practices. This bill attempts to manage that.

In supporting this bill, the Queensland opposition backs live sport, live music and live culture but also good governance, fairness and respect for local communities. That is ironic when I come in and look at the amendments that have been circulated by the minister. I have not had a chance to look at them in detail. From the glance I have had, I want to raise a few questions with the minister.

The amendments talk about vesting stage 1, 2 or 3 land and providing it to GIICA as an estate in fee simple. My understanding is that that is essentially handing that land over as freehold land. Handing over Victoria Park is essentially what we are talking about here. There is other land too, but Victoria Park is the one I am concerned about. It is not in my electorate, but a lot of people in my electorate feel strongly about this particular park and about the stadium that will go there. This is about handing it over as freehold land to GIICA.

It then talks about the fact that there is no compensation payable. I would like to know from the minister what that means exactly. What are we now doing? As the deputy chair of the committee that looked at this bill, this was never raised and never flagged. To sneak that amendment in here right before we are about to take a vote on it and to not discuss it and not circulate it is intentional and deliberate. They are hiding something here. If there was something fantastic happening in this we would be hearing about it, I am sure. It has been snuck in at the eleventh hour with no information and no detail. I can assure members that it does not have the community’s interests at heart. It will mean that GIICA can sell off parts of the land. We all know that this government is not going to be able to deliver the Victoria Park and aquatic stadiums in line with the budget it has proposed.

We all know what they are going to do: they are going to flog off the rest of Victoria Park to developers. They are going to sell it off to developers to cover the cost. That is exactly what they are going to do. Everyone knows exactly what is going to happen, and this amendment is the gateway for that to happen. The minister needs to come in here and explain why he is doing that. Maybe we do not all in this place disagree with Victoria Park—people have different ideas about the placement of that stadium—but I think we would all agree that no government should be handing over public assets to an institution like GIICA to be able to sell off to the closest developer.

We have passed legislation as well this week allowing ministers and politicians to be in receipt of donations from developers and are now debating removing legislation that is essentially allowing us to sell off public land to developers with no consultation. We managed a bill within months of the LNP coming into government that essentially erased 15 pieces of planning legislation, including vital environmental protections and cultural protections. When it comes to building stadiums, that is erasing the ability of communities to have a say. There is no consultation required. We have residents in this area who have a strong interest in this.

Wherever you live in Queensland, everybody should be concerned why governments are making decisions like this—governments that campaigned on transparency, trust and, ‘When I say something it means something.’ Well, that is complete—I do not even know where to go with that, without pulling myself up as unparliamentary. That is a complete—

Mr Whiting: Fabrication.

Ms BUSH:—fabrication. We will leave it at that. They have absolutely been misleading Queenslanders on this—to come in here at the eleventh hour to introduce an amendment like this, to not talk about it. In the time I have left, I say the minister needs to come in here tonight and he needs to explain what these amendments are going to do and what the impact is. Who are we selling off land to? Who is going to benefit from that? What rights do our constituents have? What rights do our small businesses have? Why is there no compensation required? What do they expect will come from this?

This is 64 hectares of public land right in the middle of Brisbane City, one of the last remaining pieces of parkland that we have left, and I think we need to be talking honestly about what we are going to do with that. We are selling this off to developers at a time when we are trying to minimise the influence that developers have in politics and in the Public Service, and we are selling it off to anybody, with no explanation. It is extraordinary! The minister needs to come in here and explain that, get on the record about it, and explain why this was not put forward as part of the substantial bill, why it has been put in here now. There is no way you can tell me that they did not know this was coming. This is intentional and it is intended to mislead the people of Queensland.

(Time expired)

Mrs KIRKLAND (Rockhampton—LNP) (5.32 pm): I rise to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games now just over six years away, this bill could not be more timely, nor more important. It represents a significant step towards ensuring Queensland’s sporting events and infrastructure landscape are prepared not only for the games themselves but also for the decades of legacy that will follow.

The bill strengthens and modernises key components of the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001, the Major Events Act 2014, the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 and, through the amendments now circulated, the Racing Act 2002 and the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021. Together, these reforms provide clarity, functionality and consistency in how provisions are applied across our major sports venues and events. There are numerous amendments throughout the bill, and today I will speak to several that are particularly important for my community and for Queensland’s future.

For far too long, our major venues have been constrained by a maze of overlapping state legislation, local government regulations and cumbersome approval processes. These inconsistencies, allowed to persist under the previous Labor government, created uncertainty for operators, frustration for event organisers and lost opportunities for communities. The bill finally brings to an end that confusion.

The bill establishes a clear, streamlined and consistent framework for the lawful use of major sports facilities for special events. That clarity is not just bureaucratic improvement; it is a practical, tangible benefit for communities across Queensland. This is especially important for Central Queensland and Rockhampton, where the upgraded facility at Browne Park, rescued by the Crisafulli government with an additional $3.5 million, bringing a total investment of $63 million, will finally be delivered. Browne Park, a proud home of Central Queensland rugby league, will be able to host events catering for up to 15,000 patrons. This is not just a stadium upgrade; it is an investment in community identity, in regional pride and in the economic opportunities that come with hosting major events. It is a venue that will attract visitors, support local businesses and showcase the strength of regional Queensland.

Targeted consultation on the bill has been thorough and constructive. Key government agencies, including the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation and the Department of Justice, have all contributed to shaping these reforms. External stakeholders such as Stadiums Queensland, the City of Gold Coast and the operators of People First Stadium have also provided valuable insights. This collaborative approach ensures that the bill is not only legal but also operationally practical. It reflects the real-world needs of those who manage, regulate and rely on our major venues.

This bill ends a decade of irregularities under Labor—irregularities that created uncertainty, delayed investment and stifled the growth of our events industry. By removing unnecessary bureaucracy and modernising outdated processes, this legislation unlocks agility and efficiency. It ensures that taxpayers receive maximum bang for buck with returns on investment through increased event frequency, greater private sector confidence and more opportunities for communities to benefit from major events. This is critically important as we roll out the infrastructure across Queensland for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Let me be very clear: this is not just a games for Brisbane; this is a games for all of Queensland. Regional communities like Rockhampton will proudly host the Paralympic rowing and canoeing on the mighty Fitzroy River, as outlined in the 2032 Delivery Plan. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our region to the world.

Despite the opposition’s attempts to foster confusion and their disdain for extending the Olympics to the regions, particularly Rockhampton, their negativity has only amplified the significance of what will be an incredible world-class event for all Queenslanders. Their resistance reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what the games represent—unity, opportunity and legacy for the entire state.

The bill also includes important amendments to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 as circulated. In February this year, the government approved that amendments made to the BOPGA in June 2025 be included in this bill. They have been approved. These amendments are essential to facilitating the delivery of designated Olympic and Paralympic venues, villages and games related transport and infrastructure. They ensure that Queensland is ready to successfully host the games and maximise their long-term legacy.

One key amendment clarifies that GIICA—the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority—is responsible for overseeing other venues only when directed by the minister administering chapter 3 of the act. This provides flexibility, allowing certain venues to be prescribed as ‘other venues’ without requiring GIICA oversight. It ensures the state can effectively monitor and manage these venues while avoiding unnecessary administrative burden.

Further amendments clarify that development may be utilised prior to the commencement of games related use. This is a practical and sensible change. It ensures that infrastructure can be used, tested and refined in the lead-up to 2032 rather than sitting idle until the games officially begin. It supports efficient delivery and maximises community benefit.

This is what makes the Crisafulli government’s 2032 Delivery Plan so powerful. It sets a clear, achievable path forward after Labor’s chaotic attempts, which delivered 1,200 days of inaction and a complete disregard for regional involvement. Labor simply does not prioritise the regions or the people who live in them.

In contrast, our government’s plan is grounded in transparency, accountability and statewide opportunity. It ensures that every Queenslander, whether they live in Rockhampton, Keppel, Mirani, Brisbane or beyond, shares in the benefits of hosting the games.

Our region will benefit from the legacy infrastructure across our sporting precincts, increased accommodation capacity, major events leading into the games such as Beef 2027 and Beef 2030, visitation from international Olympic teams, transport upgrades, expanded tourism opportunities and strengthened economic stability. These are real, measurable outcomes that will shape the future of Central Queensland.

By far the greatest beneficiary of this bill will be the social licence for my community and for communities across Queensland. People can finally have confidence that they have a government focused on delivering for their future prosperity and wellbeing. This bill is not just about venues or events; it is about restoring trust. It is about empowering regions and ensuring Queensland is ready not just for 2032 but for the decades of opportunities that will indeed follow. I commend this bill to the House.

Hon. MC BAILEY(Miller—ALP) (5.40 pm): I rise to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. The bill makes targeted amendments to the way Queensland manages major sports facilities and major events. It aligns special event finishing times at People First Stadium in Carrara and Cbus Super Stadium in Robina with the 10.30 pm standard that already applies at Suncorp. It strengthens provisions against ticket scalping. It modernises unauthorised advertising enforcement in the age of drones. It improves some governance arrangements for Stadiums Queensland.

Before the election, the LNP promised Queenslanders there would be action on cost of living, on health and on housing.We are a little over a year into this government and electricity bills are up, energy rebates have been stripped away, housing pressures are worse, outpatient lists are blowing out and ramping has hit record levels. We were promised a fresh start. Instead, the legislative cupboard is bare. Families who voted for change are still waiting for change.Workers who were promised relief are paying more for power. Patients who were promised shorter waiting lists are waiting longer. This government’s agenda is threadbare and it is not listening to people on the—

Mr BOOTHMAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance to the long title of the bill.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Marr): Member for Miller, I hope you are heading towards talking about the bill. If you can keep it to the content of the bill, that would be appreciated.

Mr BAILEY: I certainlyam. This government’s agenda is threadbare, reduced to debating stadium finishing times and ticket resales. This week the opposition introduced a bill to make transport more affordable for families across Queensland to deliver real cost-of-living relief. Meanwhile, this government is spending its parliamentary time in this debate on when concerts should finish on the Gold Coast.

This is not a bad bill, but it is a small bill. It is a technical bill. It could have been dealt with quickly because it is uncontroversial. The problem is not the content; the problem is what it reveals about this government’s priorities and its lack of a serious agenda other than cuts and spending hospital expansion funding on three stadiums that it promised never to build. The finishing time change is straightforward. The bill brings Carrara and Robina into line with Suncorp for special events. It removes constraints that effectively force earlier concert finishes at those venues and sets a clear framework for organisers and patrons.

Queensland’s major venues compete for major events. Promoters and tour managers work within fixed scheduling windows. Broadcasting, security, transport and staffing are all run to tight operational plans. When one state has inconsistent rules across its major venues that causes friction, and friction costs events. This bill is seeking to reduce that friction. That is to be acknowledged.

Labor did the groundwork on this bill. That is the simple fact. The former Miles Labor government initiated consultation on extending special event finishing times to 10.30 pm. That was 15 to 16 months ago at least. Labor went to the community and listened. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Now we have Premier Crisafulli simply arriving at the end to claim the credit, just as he is doing on a range of hospital expansions across the state at the moment, whether at Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast or Hervey Bay.

Dr ROWAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance.

MadamDEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Miller, if you could bring it back to the scope of the bill, that would be appreciated.

Mr BAILEY: The bill also deals with noise approvals in the context of turning up to take the credit for other people’s work. It overrides restrictions under other approvals that would otherwise limit special events on noise grounds.

Government members interjected.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

Mr BAILEY: I do but seek your protection, Madam Deputy Speaker. It provides that the general environmental duty is satisfied where prescribed conditions are met. It anticipates the intersection of different approval systems and gives event organisers a clear legal framework, reducing confusion, litigation risk and the prospect of inconsistent decisions.

I note, by contrast, that the government has had ample time to produce the amendments that were put here at the last minute. Let me make some comments about that. Last-minute amendments moved by the government undermine the integrity of legislation. When the Goss government reformed the committee system—this is a unicameral—

Government members interjected.

Mr BAILEY: It is obviously landing because we hear silly interjections from has-been politicians on the other side. What we are seeing here are late amendments not going through the parliamentary committee process and not getting the scrutiny they deserve. They are being slipped in and, of course, why would we not be suspicious of those sly and slippery tactics? It is not just this bill. This has been a constant over the last year with legislation—the government have slipped things in at the last minute so they can avoid the parliamentary committee process. That is anti-democratic. That is back to the bad old days of Newman and Bjelke-Petersen. It is no different.

The opposition has the absolute right and a duty to raise in this parliament that slippery and sly tactic from Premier Crisafulli which has now become the norm to bypass the parliamentary committee process where departments can look at legislation in detail and government, opposition and crossbench MPs have the opportunity to scrutinise it to ensure the bills do not have inadvertent consequences, to look at all of the implications and to ensure things are not being done on the sly. Once in a blue moon—

Mr Crandon interjected.

Mr BAILEY: It is the same old has-beens—all sound, no content on the other side. It is very sad. They defend these anti-democratic tactics that we get from this government, and we are seeing it again here with this bill. We have to ask the question: why is the government, again, slipping amendments in at the last minute? Is it to avoid scrutiny, to get them through, so they cannot be looked at in totality and across the whole perspective of what theymight mean? This is the kind of tactic that a dying government often uses, not a new government that is only 15 months old.

Mr Langbroek: You’d know!

Mr BAILEY: I have been part of a sustainable, long-term government—unlike you, member for Surfers Paradise.

MadamDEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Miller, you will make your comments through the chair. Thank you.

Mr BAILEY: My apologies. I was just responding to an interjection, but I certainly should have done it through you.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do not need any help to talk about the interjections across the floor, thank you.

Mr BAILEY: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I take your guidance. The opposition has concerns about those sorts of tactics. I know that previous speakers have raised concerns specifically about that, but I will not go over that. Those comments have been made on the record.

It is not good process. It is not good government. When they use these sorts of slippery, sly tactics and they get caught out for doing things that are not acceptable and reasonable, it will come back to bite them at some point. It is unfortunate to see the tactic again being employed with these amendments. It has been employed by the government constantly during its first year in power. Any comfortable government, any secure government, would not be doing those sorts of things. If they had real confidence in what they were doing and why they were doing it, they would be happy to put things through a parliamentary scrutiny process.

That is what the previous government did over three terms. There are rare occasions when a bill needs to be declared urgent, and that is fine. Occasionally that happens. It should not be a constant in this House to avoid scrutiny. I make that point very clearly in relation to this bill. I am sure we will see more of it. I look forward to the consequences of it because at some point it will come back to bite the government, well and truly.

Mr BAILLIE (Townsville—LNP) (5.49 pm): I rise to make a modest contribution to the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. We are cementing Townsville as the tourism and events capital of the north. Just over the last week Townsville featured as a honeymoon destination on a TV show called Married at First Sight. Social media personality David the Medium is having an exclusive show in Townsville and it sold out in one minute. This weekend Townsville Fire will be playing their first game of finals after finishing at the top of the ladder in the WNBL. We wish them the best of luck in their finals campaign.

In addition, we have some major events coming to Townsville, welcoming the Kangaroos for their Rugby League World Cup game versus the Cook Islands and hosting another Rugby Union International game with the Wallabies taking on Japan following the enormous success of the Wallabies versus Argentina which was held last year. The PBR grand finals will be played in Townsville later in the year.

Last week we announced that next year in 2027 we will be hosting four Rugby World Cup games in Townsville, with Georgia versus Romania, Chile versus Hong Kong, Tonga versus Zimbabwe and Spain versus Canada. Of course in 2032 the Crisafulli government is making the games for all of Queensland, with Townsville set to become an Olympic city hosting the sailing against the backdrop of The Strand and Magnetic Island. We are also looking forward to hosting football at our stadium.

There are obviously a lot of benefits in bringing these events to the regions and to Townsville including economic benefits—what it means for small and family business, accommodation, tourism providers as well as the hospitality industry. What is often overlooked is what it means for families to have these events in the regions they live in, providing parents with the opportunity to expose their children to the best the world has to offer; to experience the atmosphere, the excitement; and to see skills on display without the expense and time commitment required for airfares and accommodation. To have these events in their home city makes an enormous difference to regional families.

An important part of having these events is to ensure that tickets are affordable and available for these families. That is why the amendments in this bill regarding ticket scalping are so important. This legislation seeks to increase maximum penalties for ticket scalping under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and the Major Events Act 2014 to help to ensure that Queensland remains competitive for major sporting and entertainment events.

We also need to ensure that Queensland fans can enjoy world-class events without being ripped off by scalpers. Currently, penalties for reselling tickets to a major sports facility event or a major event at a price greater than 10 per cent above the price of the original ticket is set at 20 penalty points, or just over $3,000 for an individual and almost $17,000 for bodies corporate. These existing penalties are an invitation to exploitation. They are well below those in other jurisdictions including New South Wales, which is one of our biggest competitors for major sporting and entertainment events.

The Crisafulli government is finally bringing Queensland into line with the rest of the country and strengthening our position as the events capital of Australia. Promoters of major events rely on strong ticketing protections to safeguard their brands and maintain public confidence in the events they deliver. If we allow scalpers to distort the market, we risk losing world-class content that Queenslanders deserve. The increase in penalties for individuals to just over $22,000 and bodies corporate to just over $113,000 will help to ensure that Queensland remains competitive, and it sends a clear message that ticket scalping will not be tolerated. This is a matter of economic fairness.We are aligning our deterrents with the rest of the country to ensure that Queensland remains a premier, trusted destination for global talent.

Furthermore, this bill removes the outdated provision that penalises the buyer of unlawfullyresold tickets. Queensland is currently the only state with such a penalty, which ironically acts as a deterrent for victims to report the very scalpers who exploited them. By removing this hurdle, we are empowering consumers to stand up against unfair reselling practices.

I would like to thank the committee, ably led by the member for Lockyer in his role as chair, for the consideration of this bill, and we recognise their recommendation that the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games monitor the effectiveness of increased penalty provisions, including any enforcement or compliance challenges, to ensure that the amendments achieve their desired outcomes and remain fit for purpose. I note that the department has undertaken to work with the Queensland Police Service and other relevant agencies to monitor the effectiveness of increased maximum penalties for ticket scalping pending the passage of this bill.

By deterring the resale of tickets at inflated prices, we are protecting the social value of our major events and venues and ensuring everyday Queenslanders, the families and fans, no matter where they live or where the event is held across our great state, are not priced out of the events they love. Queensland and Townsville are open for business.

Ms McMAHON (Macalister—ALP) (5.55 pm): I rise to make my contribution to the bill currently before the House. When I saw the provisions for this sitting week which had this particular bill—the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025—declared an urgent bill, I was a bit surprised. This bill has been sitting on the Notice Paper since October last year, but all of a sudden come February this year it is declared urgent. If there are a huge number of bills to get through—which on inspection there is not—so be it. That is the prerogative of the government of the day. Then I saw the amendments come through that need to be passed later tonight. Now it is quite clear to me, and it will be to Queenslanders waking up to this tomorrow, why this is an urgent bill.

There are some amendments there that the community and Queenslanders should have had every right to scrutinise and respond to that are going to pass tonight without any consultation, without any scrutiny. I heard a member over there talk about trust—trust in the government. It is actions like these which actively contravene any community’s trust. There are going to be huge implications for communities out there.

Notwithstanding what anyone’s view is on the Olympics—the venues, the sports and wherever they are going to be—every single one of those events is going to have an impact on a community, and those communities deserve the right to have their say. No. That is not what this government does. These are not insubstantial amendments. There are pages and pages of details, maps and schedules. These are not last-minute amendments. This was always planned. This was always going to go through tonight on the last sitting day after the news is broadcast when no-one is going to be paying attention to the news tomorrow. That is not instilling Queenslanders with trust in what this government does.

I know we are on a timeline for 2032 but that should not abrogate any government’s responsibility to consult, to make sure that the legacy that is left is not one of destruction. You can have bright, fancy stadiums and no doubt sell off public land to developers—and what a coincidence that this is the week when we allow property developers to give donations to politicians! A plus B equals C. I think Queenslanders know what C is. Theyknow exactly why an amendment like this is going through without any consultation and without any scrutiny. If anyone over there thinks that moves like this are going to promote trust that the community has in the government, they are living on another planet.

I came in here with a wonderful speech about the substantive bill. I heard the member for Miller say that there are some minor amendments to it. They are minor amendments but they have the potential to have a great impact on events, particularly in South-East Queensland. The provision around extending the time for major events at Carrara and Cbus Stadium from 10 to 10.30 means those venues now have a greater chance to host world-class events, so it will bring them into line with Suncorp Stadium.

We know that Suncorp Stadium has a limit on how many events it can have, so enabling venues like Carrara and Cbus to host more events is great for South-East Queensland and the Gold Coast, and I am here for it. The later those concerts can finish, the greater opportunity we have to support our local music industry. Because we usually have Australian artists supporting big bands and that kind of thing, the fact is that we will get to see more Australian bands supporting the bigger ones. We have had quite a few big concerts at Carrara, but having a later finishing time means we can have more support acts. I commend what the Minns government did in New South Wales by making it a requirement to have Australian bands as the support act. We had the Australian music awards. Amyl and the Sniffers got their start—

An honourable member interjected.

Ms McMAHON:—thank you—by being a support act for Pearl Jam, I think it was, on a tour. Last weekend I went to Laneway and saw Team Jesus and the Jean Teasers. They were originally a support act for Green Day. I know that 30 minutes sounds quite minor, but what that will do for young up-and-coming Australian bands is great.

In line with that, making changes to ticket-scalping laws makes it more competitive for us to get some of those bigger concerts, because it is important to make sure that artists get the money. I know that people always complain about the cost of concerts, but we live in a digital world now. Artists big and small are not getting paid for people buying their albums anymore. Theyget paid for concert tickets, which is great if you are a live-music fan because it means artists are touring more often. If there is going to be lost revenue because of ticket scalping or ambush advertising, if those performers and touring companies do not have the protection of legislation like this then these are reasons Queensland can be bypassed.

In 2024 we went out to the community and asked, ‘What are some changes we can make to stadiums?’ Community consultation specifically did make reference to removing the differences between Suncorp Stadium and those two Gold Coast stadiums. Hopefully, with the changes to the events framework in the substantive bill we will see more live music here in South-East Queensland. That is a win for our tourism operators. It is also, thankfully, a win for our live-music scene here in Australia. I look forward to hopefully seeing the next Amyl and the Sniffers as a support act for a band at Cbus.

This quite minor but important bill, particularly for the Gold Coast and its surrounding communities, is being completely overshadowed by amendments that affect a lot of areas throughout Queensland, not just Victoria Park. I note the local members here who are affected by it. You have an amendment that is going to overrule a lot of planning conditions. You have amendments that say ‘no compensation is required when we take this land’, and that is something the community should have known about rather than it being passed at nine o’clock on a Thursday night.

Ms JAMES (Barron River—LNP) (6.04 pm): Today I do not stand here as just a member of parliament; I stand here as a huge supporter and lover of live music and events. I know the potential my region has for world-class sporting events, and I will continue to push for more funding for our Far North Queensland sporting facilities and more events to our region.

The Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is another example of how the LNP Crisafulli government is putting regional Queensland first and foremost. This bill updates the Major Sports Facilities Act and the Major Events Act to bring regulations for major sports venues in line with current event industry needs. It allows a clearer, fit-for-purpose regulatory framework so stadiums can host more high-profile special events like concerts under sensible and consistent rules. Most importantly, this bill levels the playing field for sporting and cultural events. It allows Far North Queensland and sporting stadiums to shine, or at least to give our venues the opportunities that we often miss out on under the current legislation.

The bill will push for more regional sporting and cultural events that bring state- and national- level competition to regional areas, because it is time for the rest of the world to see just what we have to offer in Far North Queensland. It evens the regulatory playing field between stadiums and supports equitable development, helping venues outside of Brisbane so that venues can attract headline acts and international events. What this means is more entertainment locally, more investment into our region and more opportunities for locals and tourists to rock out and cheer on their favourite teams without the need to hop on a plane.

For years, Cairns has missed out on hosting major headline events even though we have the facilities to do so. We have sporting facilities like the Cairns Convention Centre, the Cairns Showgrounds, Barlow Park and Cazalys Stadium. We have cultural facilities like Munro Martin Parklands, Kuranda Amphitheatre, CPAC and the Cairns Convention Centre. We are home to the best business events venue in Queensland—the Cairns Convention Centre—which has previously supported over $80 million in direct regional spending. Major events delivered an estimated $31 million to $38 million to our regional economy last year and we had 22,721 visitors and 108,000 visitor nights from these events. Business events brought $42 million to the Tropical North Queensland region last year. Recently we hosted a near-sellout crowd of more than 8,000 passionate cricket fans at Cazalys, and more than 1,700 visitors travelled here specifically for the matches, bringing an estimated $2.48 million boost to our regional economy. It was an epic event.

While Cairns has been fortunate to host many world-class sporting events, from Crankworx to the Cairns Ironman, this bill will ensure our region remains front and centre, especially when it comes to world-class entertainers. It provides us with the opportunity to host Olympic-size events from downhill mountain biking to soccer and beyond. It also ensures we can lure world-class entertainers to our region. By enabling more concerts and special events, this bill has the potential to drive greater economic activity, more tourism, more hospitality spending and greater visibility for the regions.

On a quick sidenote, I want to commend Tones And I for coming to regional Ingham later this month. This is an epic win for this region. Well done to the member for Hinchinbrook for his advocacy for this, but it should not be a one-off. It was a competition that the town won. We should not be the underdogs. North Queensland and Far North Queensland should be on the touring map each and every time for sports, concerts and world-class events.

My community is really passionate about sport and entertainment. I recently launched a survey for support for the sporting infrastructure in the region. Hundreds of locals have shared their thoughts on our inadequate sporting infrastructure. The message from them is clear: we want, and deserve, more sporting infrastructure. As the assistant minister for the creative industries, events, live music and the arts are things I am really passionate about. Last year I launched a petition to change the legislation about live music in our pubs and clubs, because right now sound regulation laws and expensive acoustic reports are impeding local venues and it has killed the night-life economy in our region and in our state. This generation of musicians is not getting the stage time they need to be the next Powderfinger or the next Veronicas, so I do hope these are changes our government may make in the near future. If you have not signed my petition, please join the hundreds of people in Far North Queensland who have. I will keep advocating for Queensland musicians and live-music venues so we can make the changes that we need.

I go back to sports. Under the former government, we missed out on vital funding across our grassroots sports. Under the former government, not a single cent was given to our sporting community in Barron River in the last decade, other than through community grants. This is not good enough. My local clubs have missed out: the Redlynch Strikers have no clubhouse; Barron Valley Gymnastics have damaged facilities from the Jasper floods and an inadequate facility; the Stratford Dolphins have no lighting and an inadequate clubhouse and changing room facilities; the Marlin Coast Rangers have broken grandstands; and the Northern Beaches Heat Basketball have no home courts. I could go on and on. The lack of female change rooms, the lack of adequate facilities and the lack of training grounds are all realities for Far North Queensland. Our government sees Far North Queensland. Our clubs are begging for a chance to represent the state on a larger scale.

Ms FARMER: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I think the member may be straying from the long title of the bill. I seek your guidance.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Marr): I will take some advice. Member for Barron River, what you are talking about is quite broad, so can you please return to the long title of the bill when you can.

Ms JAMES: Our clubs are begging for a chance to represent the state on a larger scale, to host local and national events and to provide our young athletes with the opportunity to witness the thrill of world-class sporting events. Between our incredible location and tourism offerings—and our humidity training which no other location in the state can offer—Far North Queensland has an opportunity to shine. This legislation will assist large-scale events to succeed. This bill will provide myregion and other regional Queensland cities with a chance to get in the games. That is why I give my full support to the bill.

Mr BAROUNIS (Maryborough—LNP) (6.11 pm): I rise today in strong support of the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The core objective of this bill is to deliver an effective and efficient regulatory regime for our state’s major assets, ensuring they provide maximum social and economic benefits for all Queenslanders. As a government, we are committed to statutory body best practice which ensures our institutions operate with the governance, accountability and commercial agility required in a modern economy. This bill provides a series of pragmatic amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and the Major Events Act 2014 that unlock the full potential of our state.

Firstly, we are lifting the bureaucratic handbrake on our regional venues. By overriding liquor licensing restrictions and local law noise constraints, we are unlocking the untapped potential of People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. This is not only a local issue; it is also a matter of economic productivity for our whole state. By making our regional venues competitive with Brisbane, we strengthen Queensland’s reputation as a premier destination for high-profile touring artists and international events. More events across multiple cities means more visitors, more tourism and more economic activity flowing through our hospitality, transport and retail sectors. It also complements the work we are doing under Destination 2045 to secure Queensland’s place as the events capital. It ensures Queenslanders everywhere have better access to world-class cultural and sporting events, promoting the social and cultural life of the whole state. This bill demonstrates the Crisafulli LNP government’s unwavering commitment to streamlining major events delivered by modernising legislation, ensuring it is fit for purpose. By making our venues competitive, we maximise opportunities for all of Queensland, not just one city.

The Crisafulli LNP government is securing Queensland’s reputation as the events capital of the country, and this legislation complements the work being done through Destination 2045. This bill helps remove barriers that have limited our major venues. It enables us to meet community expectations and ensures Queensland’s reputation is maintained. On the road to the 2032 games, we want to showcase Queensland as the home of major events in Australia, and this bill makes sure that we will remove the red tape created by the former Labor government, in the process making Queensland a world-class destination for entertainment, too.

Secondly, this bill delivers a strike for market integrity. We are significantly increasing the maximum penalties for unlawful ticket reselling or ticket scalping. By raising these fines to over $113,000 for corporations, we are sending a clear message that predatory behaviour has no place in our market. The Crisafulli government is ensuring access to tickets is more equitable and that fans are protected from those who seek to profit by distorting the market.

Thirdly, the Crisafulli LNP government is modernising our oversight through institutional accountability. The contemporary board arrangements for Stadiums Queensland will ensure strong oversight while giving operators the commercial agility to respond efficiently to new opportunities. We are also ensuring our laws keep pace with modern technology by including drones under ambush marketing provisions, safeguarding the commercial value that sponsors and organisers bring to our state. This bill removes outdated restrictions and introduces practical, modern measures that ensure Queensland’s stadiums remain competitive, vibrant and trusted. It positions the state as a leader in hosting major events, enriching cultural life, supporting local jobs and boosting tourism across Queensland.

With the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games and events being held in regional locations, this will provide lasting legacies to our regional communities. This will also boost our economies and provide employment opportunities prior, during and after the Olympic Games. Queensland is uniquely positioned to attract significant sporting events in the lead-up to and following the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Events in our communities showcase our lifestyle and culture.

My electorate of Maryborough—to be known as Olympic-borough during the games—is continuing to buzz with excitement that we have been chosen to host the archery events for the 2032 Olympic Games. The archery communities and businesses within Maryborough have already noticed a surge of interest in archery. One of our archery groups has been chosen to host the 2028 world titles in Olympic-borough. This will bring around 700 competitors, their support teams, family, friends and tourists. It will be fantastic for Maryborough, Hervey Bay, the Fraser Coast and the whole Wide Bay. This event will be the forerunner for the 2032 Olympic archery event being held in Olympic-borough.

This bill removes outdated, complex restrictions and replaces them with practical, modern measures. It ensures Queensland remains competitive, vibrant and trusted by the global events industry. By using clear, unambiguous language in our regulatory framework, we improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our major event declarations, ensuring we continue to attract and retain the very best contact for Queenslanders. This bill is just another example of how the Crisafulli LNP government is committed to streamlining major events delivery by modernising legislation and ensuring it is fit for purpose.

I would like to thank our government for including regional Queensland in the 2032 Olympic journey. I thank the honourable minister, Tim Mander, the department, the committee and everyone else for their hard work. I have no hesitation in supporting and recommending the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to the House.

Mr MARTIN (Stretton—ALP) (6.19 pm): I rise to speak in support of the bill. It is a relatively straightforward one. I want to start by raising my concerns about the way late amendments have been added to this bill. Only an hour or so ago, the Crisafulli LNP government added a range of venues including the Brisbane Athlete Village, the Gabba arena, the Wave stages 1, 2 and 3, the Mooloolah River Interchange stages 1 and 2, Coomera Connecter stage 2, Cairns western arterial and Shute Harbour recreational boating facility to a legislative schedule that switches off normal planning, heritage and environment laws. For Queenslanders who live nearby that will mean no development application process, no public notification period, no formal opportunity to lodge objections, no third-party appeal rights, no independent review and no transparency.

These amendments are significant, but for some reason they have been rushed. We have been given only a few hours notice and there has been zero scrutiny and zero committee process. I have to ask: why is that? What is the government trying to hide? I would have thought the government would be up-front and a bit more transparent about these significant changes. It certainly does not look good; it looks very dodgy, and a committee process would have rightly shone a light on these amendments.

Before the election the LNP promised to be up-front and transparent with Queenslanders, so why are they dodging parliamentary scrutiny? What is going on? These projects are not just bypassing planning, heritage and environment laws; they are bypassing proper parliamentary scrutiny. The Crisafulli LNP government is exempting itself from the parliamentary committee process in order to avoid public submissions—perhaps embarrassing public submissions; we will not know—expert evidence and independent examination. Major generational infrastructure should withstand committee scrutiny, not be shielded from it with dodgy parliamentary tactics by the LNP. What should have been a reasonably straightforward bill will now raise suspicion amongst Queenslanders and the question is: why did the LNP do this?

I will move on to the bill. I want to start by acknowledging the importance of major events to Queensland’s cultural life, our visitor economy and international reputation. Our stadiums and event precincts have become places where Queenslanders come together, whether for sports, concerts or major international events. This is particularly important as we move towards Brisbane 2032, a once-in-a-lifetime event that will showcase Queensland to the world.

Labor also supports the ongoing work to ensure our facilities remain competitive and attractive to promoters, performers and sports bodies. We want Queensland to host more major events and get the international recognition it deserves. While this bill contains elements that we broadly support, there are some areas where assurances are needed to ensure that communities, local governments and stakeholders remain properly consulted and that all sports benefit from the bill, not just the major codes. Frankly, with the way these amendments have been brought in today, the LNP are not off to a great start.

Firstly, the bill proposes a new regulatory framework for concerts at major sporting facilities, particularly on the Gold Coast, including the ability to harmonise noise conditions and operating hours. All members of this House recognise that supporting more concerts and big events delivers economic and cultural value. The Gold Coast in particular has long sought consistency with Suncorp Stadium operating times, and we support that. However, it is also important that we do not unintentionally override local voices or planning safeguards without adequate community consultation—something a committee process would have been perfect for. Residents living near these facilities deserve clarity about how noise, traffic and public safety impacts will be mitigated. Considering the actions today of the LNP government, they need to double down and commit to more consultation. The government has indicated that consultation would occur when the regulation is amended, but it is critical that this consultation is genuine, transparent and thorough. Communities need confidence that changes to operating conditions will balance economic opportunities with neighbourhood amenity. We want to ensure the state works closely with councils, operators and residents to deliver that balance.

Secondly, the bill strengthens penalties for ticket scalping while also removing penalties for purchasers. Stronger penalties can protect fans, improve fairness and enhance confidence in our events sector. As with any regulatory change, the success of these reforms will rely on enforcement and industry cooperation. We encourage the government to ensure that appropriate resources and monitoring processes accompany the increased penalties so that fans truly benefit and that it is made clear to the community that buyers will no longer be penalised.

The bill also updates several governance provisions for Stadiums Queensland, including the appointment of a deputy chair, changes to board vacancy management and updates to reflect contemporary statutory body standards. We encourage the government to ensure that governance changes remain consistent with robust public sector standards and that decision-making remains transparent to the community.

Updating ambush-marketing provisions to include drones and other emerging technologies is also a practical change. Whilst these adjustments appear technical, they will also contribute to Queensland’s reputation as a reliable and well-regulated events destination.

As we look ahead to the Olympics, it is important our approach to stadium regulation fits into a broader vision for transport precinct development, community engagement and, importantly, legacy outcomes. Stadium regulation does not operate in isolation; it intersects with transport planning, pedestrian movements, security arrangements, land use and long-term community activation. We encourage the government to ensure regulatory changes are part of an integrated planning framework that maximises both the immediate benefits and the long-term legacy for local communities.

In this context of precinct planning, I must talk about the lack of support being provided to two core Olympic sports—namely, badminton and table tennis. As honourable members may be aware, I have long been a passionate advocate for these sports in my electorate. Badminton and table tennis are amongst the fastest growing sports in Queensland, driven by our state’s vibrant, diverse communities. In Stretton I have seen firsthand how these sports bring people together, promote healthy lifestyles and showcase the incredible talent of our young players. With participation in badminton in Queensland increasing by 86 per cent and table tennis by 69 per cent in the last five years alone, now is the time to invest in the facilities and sporting pathways that will allow Queensland to become a national powerhouse in these core Olympic sports in the lead-up to the Olympics.

There is real potential for our elite athletes in Queensland to compete in table tennis at Brisbane 2032 and go for gold. However, this will clearly require enhanced training facilities, both to support local athletes and for international Olympians who may choose to undertake pre-games training in Queensland prior to the games. This would also encourage national and international tournaments to relocate to Queensland.

In June 2025 I wrote to the Minister for Sport asking that the government investigate development of a multisports facility, with a specific focus on badminton and table tennis, in or around my electorate, where the community loves table tennis and badminton, to meet the demand for these growing sports. It would also create opportunities to attract tournaments and training camps and allow Brisbane to become a centre of excellence for badminton and table tennis nationally. Unfortunately, the response from the minister does not address these requests and it is unclear at this point what will be provided for these two sports, but I will keep fighting on behalf my community.

I would encourage that these two core Olympic sports be considered in the context of this bill. I will continue to work with Queensland Badminton Association and Table Tennis Queensland to support their efforts. We want Queensland to thrive as an international events destination. We want our stadiums to be well used, well governed and welcoming to promoters and performers from around the world. We support the bill but, at the same time, Queenslanders deserve reassurance that community expectations are met including ensuring that key Olympic growth sports such as badminton and table tennis are catered for.

Hon. BA MICKELBERG (Buderim—LNP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (6.28 pm): I rise to speak to the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. In particular, I will be directing my comments towards the amendments that have been circulated that amend the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 transport schedule.

If honourable members talk to any sportsperson they will be told how a crowd can impact performance. The home team advantage is a real thing: a cheering crowd can lift athletes to a higher level of performance, just like in question time here. Tokyo 2020, which was held in 2021 due to COVID, was a spectacular event, but the lack of a crowd made it feel like there was something missing. If we reflect on the train wreck that was the so-called planning for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games under the previous Labor government, it is clear to me that the importance of having a roaring crowd in the stands was lost on them. They were in such turmoil over the location of this stadium that they ignored the importance of being able to get the crowd to the stadium. To see this, members have only to look at the member for Murrumba’s fantastic idea to build a new temporary stadium at QEII. With no rail line anywhere close by, a long line of buses multiple kilometres long would have been needed to service the venue. It was never going to work. Worse than that, it would deliver no legacy benefits for Queenslanders at all.

That is why the Crisafulli government delivered our 2032 Delivery Plan. It has been so welcomed by Queenslanders right up and down the coast. We know that Queenslanders across the board are welcoming of the certainty and the vision provided by the 2032 Delivery Plan and at last the planning chaos has been replaced with a clear vision and, importantly, action. The confusion and the delay are over.

Sitting suspended from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

Mr MICKELBERG: If you look through the delivery plan you will see that it is not just a list of venues; it also includes important transport infrastructure that will not only facilitate the movement of crowds to and from the events for the Olympics but also deliver a transport legacy that Queenslanders will benefit from long after the athletes have left. To my mind, that is the biggest reason Queenslanders should be excited for when Brisbane and Queensland host the games in 2032.

Queensland was awarded the games in July 2021. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are usually awarded seven years in advance, but for the first time we were given a 10-year runway to prepare. It was like competing in a 100-metre sprint and getting a three-second head start. Unfortunately, under those opposite the first three years were wasted. What do we have to show for it? Nothing. In sport they call that a false start. It is so important that we get on with the job of building the necessary infrastructure, whether that is transport or venue infrastructure or the athletes villages, expeditiously. There is no time to waste and that is why these amendments are being considered tonight.

I note the critical comments of those opposite about these amendments. These amendments would not be needed if those opposite were not running the race previously in slow motion, particularly when it comes to transport infrastructure. Had they not wasted the three years when we were first awarded the games before we came to office, we would be in a better place to deliver the games. I have to ask the question: just exactly what did the member for Aspley do when he was a member of the former Labor government? I know it is not the first time he has been asked that question this week. I heard him on Steve Austin yesterday when he was asked, ‘What exactly did the member for Aspley do in the former government?’ Many people are asking the same question, but it is a relevant question because it was not planning for the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

Mr Dick: Rubbish!

Mr MICKELBERG: It was not planning for the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. I hear the interjections from the former treasurer, who did not fund this and did not deliver the infrastructure needed—failed to deliver, including for his own community, I might add. He did not get work started on Logan to Gold Coast faster rail. It is an LNP government that is delivering for the member for Woodridge’s community. The LNP government is delivering Logan to Gold Coast faster rail—something that those opposite should have championed, wanted to deliver but did not get on with the job.

Seriously, I want to address the attack which we heard from the member for Aspley earlier trying to throw mud and slander in a completely unparliamentary way and an unfounded and non-factual way, and I want to be very clear: these amendments are about fast-tracking delivery of infrastructure that is needed to support the games. Whether that is transport infrastructure, whether that is games venues or athletes villages, that is what these amendments do. I might add that these amendments only add these projects into a schedule for the legislation which was debated last year which those opposite had plenty of time to consider, but they want to come in here and they want to throw mud because that is all they have. They cannot stand on their record. They would rather come in here and throw mud because they know they do not have a record to stand on, but we will deliver a successful games in 2032 and we will deliver the infrastructure required.

I want to take this opportunity to talk about some of the projects that are included in the amendments that have been circulated. We all recall the commitment that Labor made regarding heavy rail to the Sunshine Coast—Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and to Maroochydore by 2020. That is Labor’s promise—to Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020. 2015 came and 2015 went—no rail line, no work. Then 2020 came and 2020 went—still no rail line. Finally, after the LNP had committed to it before the last election, Labor decided that it might be time to have a think about it, but only to Caloundra. It wanted to turn Caloundra into a car park. That was Labor’s plan.

The new member for Caloundra knew that turning Caloundra into a car park was not a great plan. She listened to her community. She could see that it was a half-baked idea and, thankfully, her community supported her and now we have an energetic, hardworking local member for Caloundra delivering the Wave all the way through to the Sunshine Coast Airport. I ask members to note that this amendment does not just include rail to Caloundra, or the Wave stage 1 as it is known; it also includes the Wave stage 2 and stage 3 all the way to Maroochydore and on to the Sunshine Coast Airport— something that Labor did not even think of delivering. Labor has never spoken about going all the way to the airport. We can onlyfocus on its failure to get to Caloundra and to Maroochydore. Every Sunshine Coast local knows it, and it is its failure nonetheless. In contrast, our government has hit the ground running. We are building the Wave all the way to Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Airport.

As they say in the classics, there is more. The Mooloolah River Interchange was abandoned by the federal Labor Party—abandoned by the federal government after funding was withdrawn. In fact, one of the first actions of the member for Aspley as the transport minister was to roll over on the Mooloolah River Interchange. He said, ‘Oh, well,’ and did not put up a fight. It was a bit like when they cut funding for the Bruce Highway—said it was going to be fifty-fifty, gave up on 80-20. Those opposite cannot stand up to the CFMEU and they will not stand up to their Labor mates in Canberra, and it is Queenslanders who pay the price. By contrast, our Crisafulli LNP government will build the Mooloolah River Interchange—the same Mooloolah River Interchange that those opposite gave up on—and work has already started. Work has already started.

Further north we are also upgrading the Cairns Western Arterial Road—and, boy, haven’t we seen an own goal this week from the member for Cairns when it comes to the Cairns Western Arterial Road? He was on the news last night lamenting that that project was sent back to the drawing board. It was disclosed to him by the federal Labor government—shock, horror! If there was ever an example of how a little bit of information was a dangerous thing, this is it. The project was sent back to the drawing board. He is correct: it was sent back to the drawing board by federal Labor, but the emphasis there is on ‘was’: it was sent back to the drawing board in 2023 under the former Labor government.

Has the member for Cairns been hiding under a rock for all of those years? He was in cabinet, mind you. Remember, he was in cabinet. Maybe he was just too busy posting on social media. Maybe the member for Cairns should instead be getting up in this chamber and apologising to the people of Cairns for accidentally forgetting to point out to the media that it was his government that mucked up and failed the planning for that critical project, that it was the abject project mismanagement of the former Labor state government that resulted in its federal Labor mates losing confidence and its ability to deliver the project. So we have added the Cairns Western Arterial Road into the list of projects that Labor could never deliver but our side will.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a great opportunity to showcase Queensland to the world, and I think there is no better example of this than sailing in the Whitsundays—and sailing in Townsville as well, for that matter. Labor wanted the games to be a South-East Queensland party alone, but I can tell members one person who wanted these games to be for all of Queensland, and that is the member for Whitsunday. She has been fighting for her community, and we think that sailing in the Whitsundays is a great idea for the 2032 Olympics, but we need the facilities to match. That is why our government supports upgrades to the Shute Harbour boating facilities, and that is why they are contained in these amendments as well.

Finally, let us have a look at the Coomera Connector. We are getting on with the job of progressing stage 2 of this project and I can tell you categorically, Mr Deputy Speaker Lister, that stage 2 is going to be different from stage 1. We are not going to let the project costs double as they did under stage 1 by those weak, incompetent Labor ministers. We will do the proper planning. We will not be beholden to union masters like the CFMEU. The BPIC CFMEU tax will not apply to the Coomera Connector stage 2. We will deliver it on time and on budget. We have a plan to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games for all Queenslanders. Whether that is the venues or whether that is the transport infrastructure, our government is getting on with the job. I commend the bill to the House.

Hon. CR DICK (Woodridge—ALP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (7.39 pm): I rise to speak on the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and, in particular, the amendments to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 being rammed through the parliament tonight on obscenely short notice. Let me start by saying this: ‘Loopy, baby, loopy.’ Fresh from abusing the International Olympic Committee, fresh from attacking World Rowing, fresh from ignoring the president of the board of the Brisbane Organising Committee, Andrew Liveris, who now says that because of the LNP’s delivery plan the budget for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 bears ‘no resemblance to reality’, our state’s arrogant, pantomime Deputy Premier is seeking to rush amendments through the House tonight with the barest of public scrutiny. What I say to that is, ‘Loopy, baby, loopy’, because if there is one thing this state’s pantomime Deputy Premier abhors it is proper public scrutiny of his decision-making. We know that by his arrogant dismissal of and disregard for Queenslanders—in fact, anyone who disagrees with him on anything to do with Olympic infrastructure. Remember what he said about Queenslanders at the beginning of this year: ‘Loopy.’ What a way to treat your fellow Queenslanders. What a way to treat someone who has a different view to you. So much for transparency, openness and accountability and all of the nonsense from the Premier about listening to Queenslanders. When Queenslanders want to say something, what do they get from the Deputy Premier? They get ‘Loopy’ from our arrogant, pantomime Deputy Premier. The only thing loopy is the way the Deputy Premier treats Queenslanders and treats this parliament.

As we all know, today the Crisafulli LNP government has added several major projects to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act. It means that these projects will not be subject to the normal planning, heritage and environmental laws. The additional projects that will not be subject to normal approval processes include the Brisbane Athlete Village and the Gabba arena— whatever that is. The Deputy Premier has completely punted the public interest and handed it all over to private interest.

Anhonourablemember interjected.

Mr DICK: It is a horror; that is right. It is a horrible way to treat what should have been one of the centrepieces of Olympic infrastructure. He has punted public interest, he has handed it holus-bolus over to private interest and we do not know anything about it because his mate the CEO of Economic Development Queensland is running it. He was walking around here getting his riding instructions. So much for being independent of the Deputy Premier!

Another major project added to the arrangements act is the Wave, stages 1, 2 and 3. Remember this from the Premier and the pantomime deputy: no ifs, no buts, no shortcuts, heavy rail to Maroochydore by 2032. What are the people getting on the Sunshine Coast? A bus! As the shadow minister for transport said earlier, they are not even getting a bus; they are getting an AI image of a bus. That is all they are getting at the moment. That was nonsense from the Premier and the Deputy Premier on the Sunshine Coast. The Deputy Premier stabbed his own community in the back. He promised black and blue the heavy rail: no ifs, no buts, no maybes. He said that everybody knows it can be built by 2032. It was just more nonsense from him. It was dishonesty to get elected. If I have said it once, I have said 100 times: if the Premier says something it means something else or it means nothing.

Also added to the act are the Mooloolah River Interchange, the Coomera Connecter Stage 2, the Cairns Western Arterial Road upgrade and the Shute Harbour recreational boating facility. Why? It is because this government does not want the cost of those projects, in particular the Olympics infrastructure projects, to be examined by a parliamentary committee.

Andrew Liveris was absolutely dead on the money when he said to the IOC in a plenary session that the budget, both operational and capital, has no connection with reality. What is the budget? The president of the organising committee knows. They are rushing this through the House with no public scrutiny because they do not want to talk about it.

The inclusion of those projects in the arrangements act means there will be no development application process, no public notification period, no formal opportunity to lodge objections, no third-party appeal rights, no independent review and no transparency. What does that mean? It means that Queenslanders are in the dark. The community has every right to question this process. The community has every right to ask when we will be consulted. The answer from the Deputy Premier is, ‘Crush, baby, crush. We will crush you and your right to be heard and your right to be consulted. We will crush your voice.’ The community has the right to ask how they will be involved in shaping projects that will transform our suburbs and communities for generations. The answer from the Deputy Premier is, ‘Crush, baby, crush. We have no interest in your view and your voice.’

Mrs KIRKLAND: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance to the long title. He has prattled on long enough.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): I think there has been a bit of latitude extended on both sides through a succession of speakers. Deputy Leader of the Opposition, are you speaking to particular clauses or amendments that you can identify?

Mr DICK: Yes, I am speaking to all of the amendments that ram all of these infrastructure projects into the act without proper public scrutiny.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have the call.

Mr DICK: Thank you. I appreciate it, Deputy Speaker. I know I got under the skin of the member for Rockhampton today.

The communityhas a right to know. Under this magic schedule, the reality is stark. Once a project is added to it, planning, heritage and state environmental laws no longer apply. It is a legislative invisibility cloak. Add it to the schedule and planning process is gone, community consultation process is gone and transparency and accountability are gone. Do members remember the big promise from the Premier: openness, transparency, accountability? Out the window it goes. We are told the 2032 Delivery Plan provides certainty. It provides certainty that the public will not get any more detail than what is in the LNP’s glossy Delivery Plan brochure. For the LNP, scrutiny is now classified as delay. For the LNP and the Deputy Premier, community input is now red tape. For the LNP and the Deputy Premier, accountability is apparently chaos. So much for the Premier’s promise! If I have said it once, I have said it 100 times: when the Premier says something it means something else or it means nothing at all.

The part that really matters is the funding envelope. Queenslanders are being kept in the dark. The organising committee knows what is happening to the budget for operational costs for the Olympics and for the capital cost. These are nine locations that have not only a capital consequence but also an operating consequence. That is what Andrew Liveris said. While the government is busy switching off planning, switching off heritage and switching off environmental laws, it keeps promising on-time, on- budget, disciplined delivery. Cost blowouts love closed rooms. Scope creep thrives without sunlight. That is why these projects are being hidden from the people of Queensland. If everything is comfortably within the funding envelope, what does this government have to hide? Why not send it to a parliamentary committee? They do not want hard questions asked.

Everyone in Queensland wants this Olympic Games to be successful and to be the subject of appropriate scrutiny. We know that everywhere in the world the Olympics has been held budgets blow out. Queenslanders deserve to know because Andrew Liveris knows, but the government will not tell us: ‘Trust the LNP, trust the LNP’s brochure, trust the LNP’s timeline and trust the LNP’s budget.’ At least Andrew Liveris has told the truth about what is happening to the capital and operating costs for the Olympics.

Queenslanders are generous, but they are not naive and they are not stupid. We all want a successful games. We all want a lasting legacy. We all want infrastructure that works. However, legacy is about more than concrete and steel. Legacy is where the decisions are made in the open, not tucked inside a schedule where all rules disappear. Queenslanders deserve a games delivered on time, on budget and, most importantly, in plain sight.

Ms DOOLEY (Redcliffe—LNP) (7.49 pm): Tonight I rise to speak in strong support of the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and the circulated amendments. This outlines what Queensland has been screaming for. After 1,200 days of inaction by those opposite, the Crisafulli LNP government is getting on with the job. This matters for communities like mine in Redcliffe. At its core, this bill is about ensuring that our major sports and entertainment infrastructure delivers maximum social and economic benefit to all Queenslanders. The core objectives of the bill are to deliver effective and efficient regulatory regimes for our state’s major assets, ensuring they provide maximum social and economic benefits for all Queenslanders. That is what the legislation seeks to achieve.

The Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 established Stadiums Queensland as the authority responsible for owning, managing and promoting our state’s major venues. These facilities are the lifeblood of our sports and entertainment sectors. They host everything from international cricket to world-class concerts. They generate tourism and events. They support local jobs. They create community pride. The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will create a legacy for Brisbane and Queensland that will reap benefits for generations to come.

For the City of Moreton Bay, I am excited to see a commitment to build an indoor stadium at the Petrie campus of UniSC, soon to be known as Moreton Central. After the games, this will become home to one of Brisbane’s major sporting teams, yet to be announced. If Queensland can confidently host more major events across multiple locations, we will attract more visitors and more tourism, and more economic activity will flow through the hospitality, retail and transport sectors. That activity does not stop at the stadium gates. It ripples across the state, including into communities like Redcliffe.

Redcliffe is a proud sporting community. We are home to the Redcliffe Dolphins, a club with deep roots and now a national reach through the NRL. They are playing tonight—Phins up! Go the Dolphins! We have the Redcliffe Tigers AFL club, the Redcliffe Hockey Club, the Peninsula Power FC, the Redcliffe Leagues Netball Association, the Redcliffe SeaSnakes, softball, baseball, the SSG Multisports, Australia’s largest pickleball courts at Focus Tennis Academy, cricket and touch football, all of which help to shape the next generation. A kid in sport is a kid out of court.

Next year we will welcome the globe with the largest sporting event in the City of Moreton Bay’s history when we host the Softball World Cup championships at Talobilla Park in Redcliffe. Thank you to the minister for injecting money into that event. When Queensland strengthens its position as the events capital of Australia, we strengthen pathways for our young athletes. Increased event frequency at our major venues means more curtain-raisers, more junior showcases and more community partnerships. It means more opportunities for Redcliffe kids to see elite sport up close and aspire to be—or actually be—a part of it.

The bill is also about statutory body best practice. As outlined, we are ensuring our institutions operate with strong governance and commercial agility. Modern board arrangements for Stadiums Queensland will provide strong oversight while enabling operators to respond efficiently to new opportunities. That is critical as we move towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Queensland must be presented as a unified, streamlined and globally competitive destination. This legislation modernises outdated restrictions and ensures our framework is fit for purpose. It complements the broader Destination 2045 strategy and positions Queensland to attract and retain world-class content. For Redcliffe, that matters.

Major events in Brisbane and across South-East Queensland bring visitors to the peninsular to stay in accommodation such as the Komo, the Sebel at Margate, the Kippa Ring Village Motel, the Scarborough Beach Resort, the Redcliffe Motor Inn and hopefully, one day, the Dolphins hotel. Those people dine in our wonderful cafes along the waterfront and explore our local attractions such as Brisbane Whale Watching on the magnificent Moreton Bay. When Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba or other venues host high-profile events, our peninsula benefits from overflow tourism and increased visitation. We are only 20 minutes from the Brisbane international airport.

The bill also safeguards market integrity. It significantly increases maximum penalties for unlawful ticket reselling. In the past those penalties have been insufficient deterrents. The reforms raise the penalties for individuals to just over $22,000 and for corporations to over $113,000. That sends an unequivocal message: predatory ticket scalping will not be tolerated in Queensland. By deterring the resale of tickets at inflated prices, we are protecting the social value of our major venues and ensuring that everyday Queenslanders are not priced out of events. In Redcliffe, that matters.

Families save hard to take their children to State of Origin, buy Dolphins membership and go to major concerts or finals matches. Sporting events are not luxuries; they are shared cultural moments. They are father-and-son traditions, mother-and-daughter milestones and team celebrations for our junior clubs at the end of a season. Importantly, the bill also removes the outdated provision that penalised the buyer of unlawfully resold tickets. This reform empowers consumers rather than punishes victims. It ensures that families in my electorate of Redcliffe who unknowingly purchase an overpriced ticket are treated not as offenders but as Queenslanders deserving protection.

The legislation further modernises our oversight of major events, including by ensuring our laws keep pace with emerging technologies such as drones under ambush-marketing provisions. That protects the commercial value sponsors and organisers bring to our state, ensuring ongoing investment and confidence. This is a comprehensive reform package. It removes outdated, complex restrictions and replaces them with practical, modern measures. It provides clarity. It enhances consistency. It strengthens deterrence. It improves competitiveness.

For Redcliffe sporting clubs, this bill supports a thriving statewide sporting ecosystem. A strong major events sector drives participation, sponsorship and aspiration at grassroots level. When young players from the Redcliffe Dolphins Juniors or Peninsula Power see Queensland host international fixtures and global artists, it reinforces that our state is a place of opportunity. For local businesses from Scarborough to Woody Point and from Margate to Clontarf, greater event activity right across the south-east means increased trade, particularly during peak tourism periods, coming to check out our Bee Gees Way. For Queensland as a whole, this bill ensures our infrastructure investment delivers maximum return. It ensures our regulatory framework is efficient, unambiguous and commercially realistic. It strengthens our ability to compete with other states for major content and it protects consumers from exploitative practices.

This legislation is about more than finishing times or penaltyunits. It is about providing confidence for promoters, confidence for investors, confidence for the construction industry and confidence for fans as well as helping to create a legacy for Queensland that we can all be proud of. It is about ensuring Queensland remains competitive, vibrant and trusted by the global events industry. It is about ensuring communities such as mine in Redcliffe—communities that love sport, family, local pride and legacy— share in the benefits of a thriving major events sector. I commend the bill to the House. Phins up!

Hon. G GRACE (McConnel—ALP) (7.59 pm): I rise to make a contribution to the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. When the original bill went before committee it basically addressed Labor’s homework. We did the homework on all of this. How do we change these stadiums? How do we improve their times for events? How do we link this to Suncorp and others? Those opposite polished it up and brought it in, it went to the committee, there was scrutiny of it and there were no problems.

It was all fine and then the bombshell hit. We received the amendments 10 minutes before we were set to debate the bill. The amendments look nothing like the provisions that were in the original bill that went before the committee. In fact, there are amendments in here that are slimy, that are sneaky and that are made in haste when haste is not required. There is no justification whatsoever for such urgency to change the provisions.

When we were elected in 2015 the racing industry was on its knees and Alan MacSporran delivered to our government a damning report which demanded that the greyhound industry and the racing industry clean up their act. We inherited that after three years of LNP government doing absolutely nothing to address the issues in the racing industry. The MacSporran recommendations demanded that integrity and public confidence be restored to the industry. The industry was dealt a significant blow under those opposite, particularly by allegations of live animals being used to bait dogs.

It was a significant piece of work and his report made 15 recommendations. The report highlighted the shocking details which could not be ignored. The then Labor government acted. He found that the racing industry’s efforts to self-regulate had been a failure and that we needed to put integrity, animal welfare and safety at the forefront. His report showed that Racing Queensland had operated in an environment in which it could not adequately access and deal with the risks to integrity and animal welfare.

He made a number of recommendations around QRIC being established. With those 15 recommendations we changed the racing industry from being on its knees to one of the most dynamic racing industries in Australia. We led the nation. It was amazing what we did. We took them out of debt. Prize money increased. Integrity was improved. An incredible amount of work was done.

After an embarrassing delay with regard to the Queensland Racing Review—I think the minister got a clip over the ear when it comes to some of the recommendations in it—and after MacSporran had to clean up an industry on its knees by making 15 recommendations, this review report makes 110 recommendations. It was delayed because some of those recommendations were so controversial and so loopy that even his own team could not agree and they had to be removed.

When I became minister I spoke to Mr MacSporran about his recommendations regarding the board. To ensure we had integrity within the board he recommended a board of seven. Recommendation 2 stated— Four (4) of the members are to be entirely independent of the racing industry during the period of board membership and to have had no relevant connection to the racing industry (ownership of horses or greyhounds or membership of a race club or organisation) for a period of at least two (2) years prior to appointment.

Wecould have experience on the board but board members could not have had direct connection with the industry for two years. When I spoke to him about why he recommended that he said that they could declare an interest but it is inherent. He said it is very difficult not to act in your own interests even though you may have declared an interest.

What are the amendments that have been circulated with no notice at all? They have picked up four of the recommendations. There has been no consultation. The industry is still getting its head around the 110 recommendations. Those opposite claim that urgent amendments are required to the Racing Act to change the board appointments. They are now removing all of the MacSporran integrity recommendations with regard to board appointments. They are now allowing anybody who is connected to the industry on the board. There were industry and non-industry representatives on the board. We had three industry people who represented the harness, greyhound and thoroughbred industries. The non-industry people could be the chair or deputy chair.

These amendments have been introduced without any scrutiny. This government that came in talking about transparency and accountability is putting through amendments with absolutely no notice, no discussion and no consultation. Not even the animal welfare groups that may have wanted to be heard in relation to these amendments are going to have the ability to have their say. The minister will be appointing industrypeople as chairs, deputychairs and board members and will increase the number on the board to nine. MacSporran is out the door. It is an absolute disgrace that these amendments are being moved without any consultation and without anyscrutiny whatsoever. It is absolutely breathtaking and an absolute disgrace.

The minister should hang his head in shame. He was embarrassed when they brought down this report. He could not even get the simplest things through when it came to funding. We now have these amendments being slipped through without any consultation. Any decent government would have ensured they went through the committee process and the industry was able to have their say and the animal welfare people could have their say. The most important part of the racing industry would have been able to have their say.

Not onlythat, we have also seen changes to tenure arrangements for Victoria Park. In a television ad the Deputy Premier called the Victoria Park people loopy. I know why he said that. I will tell you why these people do not trust the government. They were told there was going to be no new stadium. They suspected that changes would come. Hand on heart I can tell you that when I talk to them they say, ‘Grace, they are going to sell off the land.’

Guess what? Amendments came before the House 10 minutes before we debated this legislation that land will be required for both venues. It includes certain parts of land for Victoria Park. Victoria Park is largely held as a DOGIT, deed of grant in trust, by the Brisbane City Council. The Brisbane City Council is complicit in this, too. It is allowing it. The LNP are all in cahoots in allowing this to happen.

Guess what? The worst nightmare of the people from Victoria Park is coming true. This is happening without the amendments going to a committee for scrutiny. The effect of these amendments is that they will remove all registered leases, including trustee leases, granted by the BCC under the DOGIT to third parties and—here is the kicker—convert the land from trust land to freehold held by GIICA. It is absolutely unbelievable.

Parkland that is now being used as a stadium, when those people were told there would be no new stadium, is now going to be freehold. It will not even remain trust land, so whatever is left when the stadium is built can become parkland or used for something else at the end. There is the possibly now that that land could be sold to developers—and we saw what happened with regard to donations and we have seen what has happened with no affordable housing—to develop that land and sell it as freehold.

It is no wonder my constituents do not trust this government. I ask the minister to categorically rule out land at Victoria Park being sold as a result of this change and confirm that it will be maintained as parkland for the use of my constituents and others. Minister, categoricallyrule out anysale of Victoria Park when it is converted from trust land to freehold. I await the answer from the minister. We were supporting this legislation. Now we have major concerns with these amendments that have been rushed through.

Hon. AJ STOKER (Oodgeroo—LNP) (8.09 pm): Around about 1,200 days or, think of it this way, 3.5 years—that is how long those opposite, the Labor Party, delayed and dithered, wringing their hands in indecision and failing to ever grapple with the work that was—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Member for Oodgeroo, I ask you to resume your seat, please. In accordance with the order agreed to by the House, I call the minister to reply to the second reading debate.

Hon. TL MANDER (Everton—LNP) (Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games) (8.10 pm), in reply: First of all, I would like to thank all the members for their contributions to the debate today. The Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 seeks to provide an effective and efficient regulatory framework for major events and major sporting facilities that drive social and economic benefit to Queensland and deliver statutory body best practice for governance, accountability and commercial agility. Amending the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 to lift liquor licensing restrictions on concert noise and providing clarity that noise from special events at major sporting facilities will not be regulated by any local laws that may apply unlocks the full potential of People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast as major concert venues.

Subject to the passage of this bill and following consultation with key stakeholders, such as the local community, the City of Gold Coast, Stadiums Queensland and others, it is proposed to make amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Regulation 2014 to provide for conditions for special events such as concerts at those Gold Coast venues. This would allow People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium to overcome existing noise restrictions, creating opportunities for these venues to attract and host more concerts. This does not just benefit the Gold Coast, it strengthens Queensland as a whole as a destination for high-profile touring artists and international events.

More events across multiple cities means more visitors, more tourism and more economic activity across the state, supporting jobs in hospitality, transport, retail and entertainment. It also ensures Queenslanders everywhere have better access to world-class cultural and sporting events, enriching the social and cultural life of the whole state. In short, by making our venues competitive, we maximise opportunities for all of Queensland, not just one city.

By increasing maximum penalties for ticket scalping and making it easier for consumers to report unfair selling, we are ensuring access to tickets is more equitable and fans are protected.

Updating the board arrangements for Stadiums Queensland ensures strong oversight and accountability, while giving operators the agility to respond efficiently to new opportunities and deliver high quality events. This bill also keeps pace with modern challenges, including drones. The legislative provisions for ambush marketing will protect organisers and sponsors from unauthorised advertising, safeguarding the value of major events.

In short, this bill removes outdated restrictions and introduces practical, modern measures that ensure Queensland stadiums remain competitive, vibrant and trusted. It positions the state as a leader in hosting major events enriching cultural life, supporting local jobs and boosting tourism across Queensland.

The bill’s minor technical amendment to the Major Events Act 2014 will also ensure Queensland’s regulatory framework for major events ensures clear, unambiguous language that will improve efficiency and effectiveness in declaring major event areas and major events periods. This will support a more competitive, modern events sector that will ensure we continue to attract and retain the very best content for Queensland.

People First Stadium at Carrara and Cbus Super Stadium at Robina are cornerstone venues for the Gold Coast and key assets in Queensland’s major venues portfolio owned by Stadiums Queensland. People First Stadium, originally built as Carrara Stadium in the mid-1980s, has been home to a whole variety of events such as the AFL and rugby league matches, concerts, festivals, Big Bash cricket and more. It served as the main stadium for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, hosting the athletics and opening and closing ceremonies. World-class acts such as Queen, Harry Styles, Paul McCartney, Pink and Pearl Jam have appeared at People First Stadium, drawing excited crowds to the Gold Coast, keen to see their favourite performers live in concert.

Cbus Super Stadium at Robina opened to the public in 2008 and is the home of the Gold Coast Titans. It has hosted a variety of major events, including international and national sporting events, such as the rugby sevens event as part of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, State of Origin 3 in 2021 and the 2021 Rugby Championship double-headers played between New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa and Australia. This versatile venue also hosts motorsports and, in 2022, it hosted the KISS End of the Road World Tour.

Currently, concerts at the Gold Coast must finish by 10 pm, 30 minutes earlier than the industry standard of 10.30 pm and earlier than the finishing time at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. By amending the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 to allow for an override to liquor licensing constraints on noise from concerts at major sports facilities, the untapped potential of People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium as major concert venues can be realised. The Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 also provides for clarity that noise from special events at major sports facilities will not be regulated by any local laws that may apply.

Subject to the passage of the bill, it is proposed to make amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Regulation 2014 to provide for conditions for special events such as concerts at those Gold Coast venues, following consultation with key stakeholders such as the local community, the City of Gold Coast, Stadiums Queensland and others. Subject to those regulatory amendments, the Gold Coast would then be on a level playing field, making its venues more competitive with Brisbane for major touring artists and high-profile events. By lifting those old restrictions, we make these venues more attractive to artists and event organisers, creating opportunities for more events, more energy and more life in our Gold Coast stadiums. Attracting more visitors to the Gold Coast for major concerts will drive significant economic benefits by boosting revenue and supporting local jobs, as well as enriching the cultural and social life of the community.

The Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 establishes Stadiums Queensland as the authority responsible for owning, managing, operating, using, promoting and developing the state’s major sports facilities. These venues are capable of hosting national and international sport, recreation, entertainment and special events such as concerts. This bill helps removes barriers that have limited how these major venues can be used. It enables Stadiums Queensland to attract and deliver concerts in a way that better meet industry standards and community expectations. These changes will bring the Gold Coast stadiums into line with other major venues, ensuring they can continue to attract high-profile events that support Queensland’s reputation as a premier destination for sport and entertainment.

This legislation seeks to increase maximum penalties for ticket scalping under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 and the Major Events Act 2014 to help ensure Queensland remains competitive for major sporting and entertainment events. We are also ensuring that Queensland fans can enjoy world-class events without being ripped off by scalpers. Currently, penalties for reselling tickets to a major sports facility event or a major event at a price greater than 10 per cent above the price of the ticket is set at 20 penalty units or just over $3,000 for an individual and almost $17,000 for body corporates. These maximum penalties are well below those in other jurisdictions, including New South Wales which is one of our biggest competitors for major sporting and entertainment events.

Promoters of major events rely on strong ticketing protections to safeguard their brands and maintain public confidence in the events they deliver. The increase in penalties for individuals to just over $22,000 and for bodies corporate to just over $113,000 will help ensure Queensland remains competitive and sends a clear message that ticket scalping will not be tolerated. Queensland is currently the only state that penalises buyers of unlawfully resold tickets. The bill proposes to remove that provision to encourage people to report ticket scalping without fear of being fined themselves. This approach will support the achievement of a key objective of the bill: to deter the resale of tickets at inflated prices.

If we want to attract world-class events, our legislative framework must be world class too. Aligning the Major Events Act 2014 and the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 strengthens ticket integrity, ensures consistent compliance settings and gives global promoters the certainty that they demand. Consistency across our two key event acts is not a technical detail; it is a competitive advantage. Internationalrights holders look for jurisdictions that are coordinated, predictable and professional. They look for strong anti-scalping protections. They look for clear enforcement powers across venues. They look for governments which have done the work. This bill demonstrates that we have done that work, and we are already seeing the dividends of that approach. The government secured the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo—

A government member: Underway as we speak.

Mr MANDER: I hope it is not raining.

A government member: No. It’s going fantastically.

Mr MANDER: It is one of the world’s most spectacular and historic military and cultural events, and it is in Brisbane for the first time. As we just mentioned, the first show is on right now, with over 1,000 performers and a global audience, bringing an estimated $39 million economic boost to the city. This is what happens when you combine vision, investment and a legislative framework that inspires confidence.

Securing events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is about more than four nights at a stadium; it is about filling hotels, energising restaurants, supporting small businesses and showcasing Queensland’s lifestyle, culture and natural beauty to the world. This bill strengthens our ability to secure more global spectaculars, more international tournaments, more cultural events and more business conventions and to deliver them seamlessly. It reduces complexity. It strengthens consumer protection. It aligns our enforcement frameworks. It sends a clear message that Queensland is ready—ready for the next Rugby World Cup, ready for more cultural icons, ready for 2032 and ready for the decade beyond.

During 2025 the Queensland Racing Review was undertaken, culminating in a recommendation report being provided to government in September 2025. The government response to the report, published on 6 December 2025, is titled The next lap: a plan for the future of Queensland racing. As outlined in the response, the Queensland government has committed to making governance of the racing industry more efficient.

The review heard consistent feedback that inconsistencies with the Queensland racing governance model needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Following government consideration of the report, the board has been tasked with developing an implementation plan by no later than 2 April 2026. This implementation plan is expected to detail the timetable of responsibilities to implement the government’s response to the report, bringing meaningful change to the Queensland racing industry and Queensland regions. To drive the development of the implementation plan and to ensure the response is implemented in an efficient and timely manner, it is critical that the membership of the Racing Queensland Board be urgently amended, delivering on the government’s commitment to reform the board, provide broad industry representation and provide greater flexibility in the appointment process. The amendment to this bill sees these commitments delivered.

I take this opportunity to address some of the matters raised in the second reading debate. I was asked about noise compliance and for clear, unambiguous guidance in this framework. Pending passage of the bill, future amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Regulation 2014 will stipulate, similar to existing provisions for special events at Brisbane Stadium and Suncorp Stadium, that noise monitoring of special events is the responsibility of the stadium operator. Of course, these amendments will be considered in consultation with the community and other key stakeholders such as the City of Gold Coast to ensure we get things right. Noise-monitoring reports as undertaken by an independent acoustic consultant will be required to be published for each event. Any breach of those conditions as outlined in the independent report will be investigated by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as the department with administrative responsibility for the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to determine the parties responsible for the breach. The bill does not change existing regulatory settings for enforcement and compliance.

An example of a self-regulation approach, which is proposed to be adopted for the two Gold Coast stadiums, is the operation of Suncorp Stadium. This self-regulation approach is widely used across the statute book and in the case of Suncorp Stadium requires that the stadium abide by and monitor compliance with regulatory conditions. The stadium engages technical and other staff for noise monitoring and complaints management. This has proven to be very successful.

I now want to talk about some of the changes with regard to the Brisbane Olympic act. Last year Labor voted for the laws that provide planning, environment and cultural heritage exemptions to games infrastructure projects, knowing at the time that projects would be subsequently added. Now that the 2032 Delivery Plan projects are being added, Labor are acting surprised, like they had no plan and never saw a single shovel in the ground for games infrastructure delivery. These amendments are the next stage in our promise to Queensland.

Queenslanders made over 5,800 submissions to our 100-day review of these projects. The amendments to the act that were passed last year went through an extensive committee process and public consultation, and the projects added today were identified in the 2032 Delivery Plan almost a year ago. The Crisafulli government is getting on with the job. These amendments are necessary, due to Labor’s 1,200 days of chaos when there was no plan. It left us with no choice to reach our 2032 deadline on time and on budget. The Brisbane City Council will continue to work with tenants of Victoria Park to finalise all impacted commercial end-of-lease agreements. We announced almost a year ago that that work was going to begin on the Brisbane Stadium and surrounds. The vesting empowers GIICA to take possession of Victoria Park by 1 June 2026.

While the Crisafulli government is getting on with the job, all we saw from Labor today was a disgraceful attack from the member for Aspley on the Deputy Premier, who has repeatedly disclosed his interests publiclyin this House. The question todayis: are Labor going to support these amendments or are they going to get in the way of games delivery? If the wasted 1,200 days was not enough, now they are wanting to delay the projects once again.

It is my belief that Labor do not want the games infrastructure built on time. For political advantage, they will do everything to make sure we do not deliver the promises that we made. By passing this legislation tonight we will cut through the rubbish, we will cut through the red tape, we will cut through the bureaucracy and we will deliver what Queenslanders are asking for. They are asking for us to get on with the job.

The Labor Party obviously does not understand that there is a deadline—a non-negotiable deadline—in 6½ years, and Queenslanders will not accept any excuse if we do not meet that deadline. We are a government of action. We are a government that builds things. That is what we will do. I commend the Deputy Premier for what he has done to bring these amendments to this bill so that we can do exactly that. These people opposite have such temerity. After 1,200 days of doing nothing— they had 11 years notice, the greatest advance notice ever given to a host city—

Mr Stevens: They blew it!

Mr MANDER: I take that interjection—they blew it. The public sentiment in this state was so low. It was low in Brisbane, let alone out in the regions. It was not until we handed down our 2032 Delivery Plan that the vibe and the sentiment in this state changed. Now we have councils right across the state begging to have training events, to have athletes from other countries come and stay in these cities, to have events themselves. That is why we are proud of the program that we will deliver. We have regionalised the games. There will be events from Cairns, from Townsville, from Mackay, from the Whitsundays, from Rockhampton, from Maryborough, from Toowoomba, from the Sunshine Coast, and from the Gold Coast to Brisbane. We will deliver a games that Queenslanders deserve and that Queenslanders will be proud of.

Question put—That the bill be now read a second time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Consideration in Detail

Clause 1, as read, agreed to.

Insertion of new clause—

Mr MANDER (8.30 pm): I seek leave to move an amendment outside the long title of the bill.

Leave granted.

Mr MANDER: I move amendment No. 1 circulated in my name— 1 After clause 1

Page 4, after line 5—

insert—

1A Commencement

The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation—

(a) section 1H, to the extent it inserts sections 53DFC and 53DFD;

(b) part 2, other than sections 2 and 10(1A);

(c) part 3A.

I table the explanatory notes to my amendments and a statement of compatibility with human rights. Tabled paper: Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, explanatory notes to Hon. Tim Mander’s amendments [184]. Tabled paper: Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, statement of compatibility with human rights contained in Hon. Tim Mander’s amendments [185].

Amendment agreed to.

Insertion of new clauses—

Mr MANDER (8.31 pm): I seek leave to move an amendment outside the long title of the bill.

Leave granted.

Mr MANDER: I move amendment No. 2 circulated in my name— 2 After clause 1

Page 4, after line 5—

insert—

Part 1A Amendment of Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021

1B Act amended

This part amends the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021.

1C Amendment of s 5B (Other venues)

Section 5B(1), (2) and (3), after ‘schedule 2,’—

insert—

part 2,

1D Amendment of s 5C (Villages)

Section 5C(1), (2) and (3), after ‘schedule 3,’—

insert—

part 2,

1E Amendment of s 53AD (Functions)

Section 53AD(1)(c)—

omit, insert—

(c) if the Minister, by written notice to the chief executive officer of the

authority, directs the authority to monitor the delivery of an other

venue—to monitor the delivery of the venue; and

1F Amendment of s 53DB (Definitions for chapter)

(1) Section 53DB, definition games-related transport infrastructure, paragraph (b), after

‘schedule 4’—

insert—

, part 2

(2) Section 53DB, definition transport infrastructure—

insert—

(l) a local government road within the meaning of the Transport

Infrastructure Act 1994.

1G Amendment of s 53DC (Application of part)

Section 53DC—

insert—

(2) If development mentioned in subsection (1)(a) has been carried out for, or in

relation to, an authority venue or other venue, this part also applies to a legacy

use of the venue before the start of the venue’s games-related use.

1H Insertion of new ch 3A, pt 2A

Chapter 3A—

insert—

Part 2A Vesting of particular land

Division 1 Preliminary

53DFA Interpretation for part

(1) In this part—

Land Act reservation, for schedule 4A land, means a reservation or condition

that—

(a) is mentioned in the Land Act, section 21; and

(b) would have applied in relation to the land if, instead of vesting under

division 2, a deed of grant had been issued under the Land Act for the

land.

preserved interest, for schedule 4A land, means an easement, or an easement

in gross, over or affecting the land if, immediately before the vesting day for the

land—

(a) the easement or easement in gross was registered under the Land Title

Act; or

(b) the tenure document for the easement or easement in gross was lodged,

and capable of registration, under the Land Title Act.

schedule 4A land means the land described in schedule 4A, part 1, 2 or 3.

vesting day, for schedule 4A land, means the day on which the land vests under

division 2.

(2) Words and expressions used in this part and the Land Act have the same

meaning, to the extent the context permits.

Division 2 Vesting of land

53DFB Stage 1 land

On 1 June 2026, the land described in schedule 4A, part 1 is vested in the

authority as an estate in fee simple subject to—

(a) any preserved interests for the land; and

(b) any Land Act reservations for the land.

53DFC Stage 2 land

On the day this section commences, the land described in schedule 4A, part 2

is vested in the authority as an estate in fee simple subject to—

(a) any preserved interests for the land; and

(b) any Land Act reservations for the land.

53DFD Stage 3 land

On the day this section commences, the land described in schedule 4A, part 3

is vested in the authority as an estate in fee simple subject to—

(a) any preserved interests for the land; and

(b) any Land Act reservations for the land.

53DFE Lodgement of plan of survey

(1) This section applies in relation to the land identified as ‘part of Gilchrist Avenue’

on the plan shown in schedule 4A, part 4.

(2) The chief executive must ensure a plan of survey of the land is lodged before 1

June 2026.

(3) The plan of survey must—

(a) generally correspond with the plan shown in schedule 4A, part 4 to the

extent the plan identifies the land; and

(b) define the land as 1 lot for the purposes of the Land Title Act; and

(c) comply with the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Act 2003; and

(d) be certified as accurate by a cadastral surveyor within the meaning of

the Surveyors Act 2003.

(4) Despite any other Act or law, if a plan of survey is lodged in accordance with this

section—

(a) the lot defined in the plan is created as a lot under the Land Title Act,

and able to be vested under this division, on the lodgement of the plan;

and

(b) the registrar of titles must, as soon as practicable after the lodgement of

the plan, record the particulars of the plan in the freehold land register;

and

(c) no fee is payable for—

(i) the lodgement of the plan; or

(ii) the recording of the particulars mentioned in paragraph (b).

Division 3 Effect of vesting

53DFF Effect of vesting

(1) On the vesting of schedule 4A land under division 2—

(a) any interest in the land that existed immediately before the vesting day

for the land, other than a preserved interest or Land Act reservation, is

cancelled; and

(b) any tenure document evidencing an interest cancelled under paragraph

(a) is cancelled; and

(c) any road on the land is permanently closed.

(2) Subsection (1) applies despite any requirement that would otherwise apply,

under the Land Act or the Land Title Act, in relation to—

(a) the cancellation of the interest in the land or the tenure document; or

(b) the closure of the road.

(3) As soon as practicable after the vesting of the land under division 2, the registrar

of titles must record particulars of the following in the appropriate register and

the freehold land register—

(a) the vesting of the land, subject to the preserved interests and Land Act

reservations for the land;

(b) the cancellation of an interest in the land under subsection (1)(a);

(c) the cancellation of a tenure document under subsection (1)(b).

(4) Subsection (3) applies despite any requirement that would otherwise apply,

under the Land Act or the Land Title Act, in relation to the recording of the

particulars mentioned in that subsection.

(5) Despite the Land Act and the Land Title Act, no fee is payable by the authority

in relation to—

(a) the vesting of land under division 2; or

(b) the recording of the particulars mentioned in subsection (3).

(6) In this section—

cancel, an interest, includes—

(a) cancel a deed of grant in trust; and

(b) permanently close a road; and

(c) revoke a dedication or reservation and setting apart; and

(d) end a lease or other interest.

53DFG Compensation

(1) No compensation is payable under this Act for the cancellation of an interest in

land under section 53DFF.

(2) Subsection (1) does not affect a right to compensation, under another Act or law,

for the cancellation of an interest in land under section 53DFF.

1I Amendment of s 53DG (Definitions for part)

Section 53DG, definition games project, ‘section 53DC(a), (b) or (c)’—

omit, insert—

section 53DC(1)(a), (b) or (c) or (2)

1J Amendment of s 53EA (Use of necessary games infrastructure)

(1) Section 53EA(1)(a), ‘section 53DC(a)’—

omit, insert—

section 53DC(1)(a)

(2) Section 53EA(1)(b), ‘section 53DC(b)’—

omit, insert—

section 53DC(1)(b) or (2)

1K Amendment of s 53EF (Exemption from infrastructure charges under other Acts)

(1) Section 53EF(1)(a), ‘section 53DC(a)’—

omit, insert—

section 53DC(1)(a)

(2) Section 53EF(1)(b), ‘section 53DC(b)’—

omit, insert—

section 53DC(1)(b) or (2)

1L Amendment of sch 1 (Authority venues)

(1) Schedule 1, table, entry for the facility to be known as Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre,

column 1, ‘The Mill at Moreton Bay Priority Development Area’—

omit, insert—

the Moreton Bay Central Priority Development Area

(2) Schedule 1, table, entry for the facility known as Barlow Stadium Park, column 1, ‘Barlow

Stadium Park’—

omit, insert—

Barlow Park Stadium

1M Amendment of sch 2 (Other venues)

(1) Schedule 2, before table—

insert—

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Definition for schedule

In this schedule—

arena land means each of the following lots—

(a) lot 61 on SP188566;

(b) lots 63, 64 and 65 on SP312152;

(c) lot 60 on SP184385;

(d) lot 1291 on SP149280.

Part 2 Other venues

(2) Schedule 2, as amended by this Act, part 2, table—

insert— a facility to be known as the Gabba a new indoor entertainment and sport indoor entertainment and sport venue Arena, located on the arena land venue with seating for approximately with seating for approximately 17,000

17,000 people and associated facilities people and associated facilities

1N Replacement of sch 3 (Villages)

Schedule 3—

omit, insert—

Schedule 3 Villages

section 5C

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Definitions for schedule

In this schedule—

BAV games land means each of the following lots—

(a) lot 474 on SP190740;

(b) lot 709 on SP238200;

(c) lot 102 on SP277762;

(d) lots 801, 802 and 803 on SP288047;

(e) lots 112, 113, 114, 115, 703 and 705 on SP288048;

(f) lot 117 on SP288049;

(g) lots 708 and 709 on SP288052;

(h) lot 2 on SP288053;

(i) lot 710 on SP288054;

(j) lot 913 on SP288076;

(k) lot 805 on SP288132;

(l) lot 704 on SP296435;

(m) lots 1 and 3 on SP329545;

(n) lots 110 and 111 on SP336809;

(o) lot 116 on SP341419;

(p) lot 1 on SP341431;

(q) lot 455 on SL3473;

(r) lot 482 on SL4552;

(s) lot 1 on RP41361.

BAV legacy land means each of the following lots—

(a) lots 112, 113, 114, 115 and 705 on SP288048;

(b) lots 110 and 111 on SP336809.

Part 2 Villages

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Description of site or facility Games-related use Legacy use a site to be known as the Brisbane the following uses of the site— the following uses of the site to the Athletes Village located on the BAV extent it comprises the BAV legacy

(a) accommodation for up to games land 12,000 athletes and officials; land—

(a) residential accommodation;

(b) associated uses and facilities

Example— (b) associated commercial and

retail uses

training facilities for

athletes

1O Replacement of sch 4 (Games-related transport infrastructure)

Schedule 4—

omit, insert—

Schedule 4 Games-related transport infrastructure

section 53DB, definition games-related transport infrastructure

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Definitions for schedule

In this schedule—

active transport infrastructure see the Transport Planning and Coordination

Act 1994, section 8A(3).

busway see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

busway transport infrastructure see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

general route service see the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act

1994.

local government road see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

public marine transport infrastructure see the Transport Infrastructure Act

1994.

public passenger transport infrastructure see the Transport Planning and

Coordination Act 1994.

QTRIP means the implementation programs, known as ‘Queensland Transport

and Roads Investment Program 2025–26 to 2028–29’, approved under the

Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, chapter 4, as in effect on the commencement.

Editor's note—

The QTRIP website is www.tmr.qld.gov.au/qtriponline.

rail transport infrastructure see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

railway see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

State-controlled road see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

Part 2 Games-related transport infrastructure

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Name QTRIP Investment ID Description

(a) rail transport infrastructure for operating a general route service The Wave 3024759 on a new dual-track railway from Beerwah to Caloundra (stage 1) (b) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraph (a)

(a) rail transport infrastructure for operating a general route service The Wave 3357421

on a new dual-track railway from Caloundra to Birtinya (stage 2) (b) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraph (a)

(a) busway transport infrastructure and public passenger transport The Wave 3357421 infrastructure for operating a new high-capacity, high-frequency

general route service on roads and a new busway between (stage 3)

Birtinya to Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Airport

(b) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraph (a) Mooloolah River 2007574 new and upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and interchange upgrade active transport infrastructure associated with the following— (stage 1)

(a) the connection of Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba;

(b) the connection of Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek to

Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba;

(c) the connection of the Sunshine Motorway to Brisbane Road at

Mooloolaba

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Name QTRIP Investment ID Description Mooloolah River 2356108 new and upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and interchange upgrade active transport infrastructure associated with the following— (stage 2) (a) the connection of the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way at

Parrearra;

(b) additional lanes on the Sunshine Motorway between—

(i) the Mooloolah River interchange and Buderim-

Mooloolaba interchange; and

(ii) the Kawana Way interchange and the Mooloolah River

interchange

(a) an extension of the State-controlled road, known as the Coomera Connector 3646282 Coomera Connector (M9), from Shipper Drive, Coomera to

Yawalpah Road, Pimpama (stage 2)

(b) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraph (a)

(a) a duplication of the State-controlled road, known as the Cairns Cairns Western 1810618 Western Arterial Road, between Redlynch Connector Road, Arterial Road upgrade Redlynch and the Captain Cook Highway

(b) an upgraded State-controlled road, known as the Cairns

Western Arterial Road, at its intersection with Loridan Drive and

View Street at Brinsmead

(c) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) Shute Harbour 3552018 (a) new public marine transport infrastructure at Shute Harbour

associated with the following— recreational boating (i) a new multi-lane boat ramp; facility

(ii) a new breakwater;

(iii) new floating walkways;

(iv) an upgraded car-trailer parking area

(b) upgraded State-controlled roads, local government roads and

active transport infrastructure associated with the infrastructure

mentioned in paragraph (a)

1P Insertion of new sch 4A

After schedule 4—

insert—

Schedule 4A Vesting of particular land

sections 53DFA, definition schedule 4A land, 53DFB, 53DFC, 53DFD and 53DFE

Part 1 Stage 1 land

Column 1 Column 2

Description of land Title reference Lot 3 on SP185072 51299277 Lot 5 on SP185074 51299279 Lot 5 on SP288407 51228852 The lot created by the lodgement of a plan of survey under – section 53DFE(2)

Part 2 Stage 2 land

Column 1 Column 2

Description of land Title reference Lot 2 on CP909154 50266918 Lot 3 on CP909154 50266927 Lot 5 on SP184695 50702248

Part 3 Stage 3 land

Column 1 Column 2

Description of land Title reference Lot 17 on SP185062 51406241 Lot 18 on SP185075 51406244 Lot 1 on SP269374 51406246 Lot 5 on SP334726 51406252 Lot 7 on SP334727 51406255

Part 4 Proposed lot for plan of survey

1Q Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary)

Schedule 6—

insert—

active transport infrastructure, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

arena land, for schedule 2, see schedule 2, section 1.

BAV games land, for schedule 3, see schedule 3, section 1.

BAV legacy land, for schedule 3, see schedule 3, section 1.

busway, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

busway transport infrastructure, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

general route service, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

Land Act means the Land Act 1994.

Land Act reservation, for schedule 4A land, for chapter 3A, part 2A, see section

53DFA(1).

Land Title Act means the Land Title Act 1994.

local government road, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

preserved interest, for schedule 4A land, for chapter 3A, part 2A, see section

53DFA(1).

public marine transport infrastructure, for schedule 4, see schedule 4,

section 1.

public passenger transport infrastructure, for schedule 4, see schedule 4,

section 1.

QTRIP, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

rail transport infrastructure, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

railway, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

schedule 4A land, for chapter 3A, part 2A, see section 53DFA(1).

State-controlled road, for schedule 4, see schedule 4, section 1.

vesting day, for schedule 4A land, for chapter 3A, part 2A, see section

53DFA(1).

Ms GRACE: This amendment has just landed on our desk. The minister in summing up was talking about the consultation and the submissions and everything they did when they were looking at the stadiums for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but I do not recall at any stage that it was going to sell trust land and convert it into freehold land. I do not recall any consultation around the conversion of a DOGIT into freehold land—at no stage. Yet here before us is an amendment that was given to us 10 minutes before the debate started in relation to this issue. They wonder why the people at Herston and others who want to save Victoria Park do not trust this government. We now have an amendment that is going to convert trust land into freehold land with the tenure going to GIICA.

I have a couple of clarifying questions for the minister. Can the minister clarify why it is absolutely necessary to convert the land from trust land to freehold land? The other question that we would like answered for clarification is: why can’t this land remain trust land? The other clarification and guarantee is: will the minister categorically rule out any sale of land by GIICA with regard to the amendments in this legislation and that it will be retained as parkland? I see the minister smirking opposite. These are serious issues in relation to land that is in my electorate much loved by my constituency. The government has come without any transparency, without any scrutiny, without any ability for anyone to place these questions on the record about why it is necessary to do this.

Is this the manner in which the government is going to pay for the blowouts that have been earmarked by Andrew Liveris? Is this what this is all about? You might say it is a fresh start but at the end of the day all we are seeing again is a government that cuts projects, sells and sacks, and puts their own lot in. That is where we are. It is the same old government—the same old opposition. I ask that the minister clarify these issues. The constituents in my electorate who they labelled ‘loopy’ want to know exactly why trust land is becoming freehold.

Mr DICK: The minister said in his reply that the LNP are going to cut through the rubbish. That is what he said. That is the quiet part out loud. The minister said the quiet part out loud because the LNP thinks consultation, transparency and Queenslanders having a say is rubbish. That is what he thinks. I see them all smirking over there, all laughing. That is what they think. I see them all laughing over there. That is what they think about Queenslanders. They do not want them to be heard.

Government members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: I remind members that you can be warned and evicted during this session of parliament. If you want to be here for the vote, take notice of what I say.

Mr DICK: We also know what the sports minister said to and about the IOC: ‘We dictate what will happen.’ That is what he said. Imagine the sports minister for Queensland dealing with the largest and greatest sporting organisation in the world, sending a telegram directly from Everton, ‘We will dictate what happens.’ That is the history of the National Party in this state—dictating to everyone what happens, dictating to Queenslanders, ‘You won’t be heard,’ which is why they are using clause 2 to ram these infrastructure projects through without any form of public consultation.

Then we have the two geniuses of the LNP government—the arrogant Deputy Premier and the arrogant sports minister—saying, ‘We will dictate to the IOC.’ That is not what the games agreement says. The whole point of the Olympics is to bring people together in consultation to deliver a world-class event. But that is not good enough for the LNP. They want to tell World Rowing, ‘We are going to dictate it.’ They want to tell the IOC, ‘We are going to dictate it.’ They know what is coming.

They will not even talk to people whose neighbourhoods are going to be disturbed by these infrastructure projects. Where is the Wave going to run through? The LNP has not even dictated the route for the Wave yet, for the bus line. The first people are going to know about it because of this clause is when they hear a bulldozer in their backyard. There will be no consultation. The first thing they will hear are the jackhammers. They will see the bulldozers. That is why you are putting it through this clause.

Mr Krause interjected.

Mr DICK: I take the interjection from the member for Scenic Rim. He has no idea what this clause even does. He says it is rubbish but what it means is there is no planning control. There is no heritage control. All of that is junked so they can dictate to Queenslanders, to the IOC and to everyone else in the world what they want. That is the history of Queensland under the National Party and the LNP. It is simply not good enough.

(Time expired)

Mr SPEAKER: It was my omission before. I should have gone to the minister. The member for McConnel asked a series of questions. Minister, could you respond?

Mr MANDER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. It was entertaining to listen to the former treasurer anyhow.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would like to hear what the minister has to say.

Mr MANDER: The member for McConnel was wondering what we were laughing about. The minister here said to me, ‘That sounds like a statement written and authorised by Campbell Newman.’ That is exactly what we were laughing about because that is what it is. A small number of people are defying what the majority of Queenslanders want and who overwhelmingly endorse the delivery plan.

Why are we bringing these amendments in? It is because we are building a stadium to hold 63,000 people. It will be the third biggest stadium in the country. It will attract the greatest sporting events, whether it is World Athletics, the Rugby World Cup, the AFL final or cricket. What did that side say? That side said, ‘QSAC, and you are going to go into the Ekka and you are going to have to pay for it yourself.’

Ms GRACE: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of orderon relevance. We are talking about the specific amendments that are in clause 2.

Mr SPEAKER: Relevance is your point of order?

Mr MANDER: Mr Speaker, if I could respond: the former minister is asking why these amendments are necessary and I am explaining why. We have to get on with the job. We are not building—

Ms GRACE: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance. I listed three pertinent questions about amendment No. 2 with regard to freehold land. That is the question.

Mr SPEAKER: I have that. It is a fair point. This clause goes to freehold and vesting of land. If you can address that, that would be great.

Mr MANDER: I am getting to that. I am trying to give some context to why this is necessary. It is necessary because we are building a dirty big stadium, okay? It is not the local football stadium down at the local park. It is a huge stadium. That is going to take time. We have 6½ years to go. We have to get on with the job, and to do that we have to make these necessary amendments to free up the encumbrances on that land so that GIICA can take control over it and start digging. These amendments provide the necessary tenure for the new Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre at Victoria Park. Both projects were included in the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 last year. These provisions are administrative in nature and ensure GIICA has the necessary tenure and access to Victoria Park to commence works on 1 June 2026. We cannot stuff around with this. We have to get on with it. That is what Queenslanders and people in Brisbane are telling us to do.

Mr O’Connor: Stop backing Campbell Newman over Queenslanders.

Mr MANDER: I will take that interjection.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Bonney, if I hear from you again—are you listening to me? I suggest you do, because if I call you again you will be warned.

Mr MANDER: Victoria Park is already underlying state land. Brisbane City Council has been the trustee under a deed of grant in trust, a DOGIT, and GIICA represents the state and will hold land on behalf of the state under the act so that it may efficiently deliver games infrastructure in Victoria Park. GIICA is a public entity and represents the state. Vesting the land in GIICA allows it to fulfil its responsibilities to deliver this vital infrastructure.

Brisbane City Council offered to hand over Victoria Park to support the stadium and aquatic centre development, and the Crisafulli government is repairing the relationship with local governments by working with them to ensure that generational infrastructure laid out in the 2032 Delivery Plan is actually delivered. Brisbane City Council will retain a number of land parcels that are not currently identified as being required for venues or precinct infrastructure and will be involved throughout the planning for the Victoria Park precinct, including consideration of a long-term operating model for the parklands.

During the delivery of the 2032 games venue program, construction works at some of these venues may temporarily or permanently displace existing users or tenants, including sporting bodies and community focused businesses. Amendments do not affect the compensation rights that a party would have. Several businesses and organisations operating within Victoria Park will be required to relocate in preparation for early site works for the Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre. Brisbane City Council is leading the engagement with tenants, working closely with GIICA and the Queensland government on this. Amendments to the BOPGA introduced last year also clearly set out the breadth of GIICA’s responsibilities, accompanied by the schedule of games and legacy users for games infrastructure projects in accordance with the 2032 Delivery Plan and the IGA with the Australian government.

The location of the new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park has been subject to significant consultation through the 100-day review, included in the 2032 games delivery plan in March 2025, and it has been subject to numerous announcements of delivery progress since that time, including site investigations and the requirement for the site to be ready for construction to commence in mid-2026. These amendments ensure GIICA can get on with this delivery with clear tenure, which is supported by the Brisbane City Council.

We have hit the ground running on games delivery in 2026, announcing the principal architects for the new Brisbane Stadium. These amendments continue this momentum and provide the certainty GIICA needs to continue delivery. These changes demonstrate that the Crisafulli government is getting on with what it said it would do: ensuring generational infrastructure is delivered on time. As I said in my response speech, I can only think the Labor Party does not want us to meet these deadlines. We want to meet them in a timely fashion that allows to us test the Aquatic Centre.

The Aquatic Centre will be the best in the world, and that is what our swimmers deserve. Queensland swimmers basically win more than half of the gold medals that we win at every Olympics, and most of those swimmers are Queenslanders based at the Queensland Academy of Sport. We want to reward them, and that is what we intend to do by building them a facility that they will be proud of, that we will be proud of—

A government member interjected.

Mr MANDER: I take that interjection from the minister—that they deserve. That is what they are asking for. What did the opposition want? They wanted a temporary pool in an arena, and that was insulting to our swimmers. They were into this ‘temporary’ stuff. We are into legacy. We want to provide a legacy for years and years to come—whether it is the stadium at Victoria Park, the National Aquatic Centre or the community infrastructure we are installing right across this state, no matter where you live, to encourage young people to be involved in sport and to build the champions of the future.

Mr WHITING: I will speak to the clause and amendments that have come through today. I want to raise my concerns about these amendments. It is clear that the late amendments that have been dropped on us will allow the privatisation and sell-off of public land within the heart of Brisbane—64 hectares in Victoria Park. It is very clear that these were dropped late—

Ms Grace interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for McConnel, if I have to call your name again you will be warned.

Mr WHITING:—to avoid scrutiny of the parliamentary process, the committee process and public scrutiny.

Land held as a DOGIT bycouncil goes over to freehold land owned byGIICA without consultation and it means, as we have heard, that GIICA can sell that off. They could sell off the entire site. They can sell off parcels of that site—parkland that now belongs to the people of Queensland. There is no review, there are no laws and there is no appeal. There is nothing that can be done about it if that is what they want to do.

These amendments explain so much. They explain why the board of GIICA is staffed with the development industry. The development industry has been salivating about this block and the land all around it for a long time. Perhaps it explains how they are going to fund part of these games or fund the Aquatic Centre—by the possible sell-off of public land that is owned by the people of Queensland.

As I said, we are seeing land across South-East Queensland specifically being offered up to developers: South Brisbane, the Gabba, Mango Hill, Banyo, Victoria Park. Where is the social and affordable housing component of that? Where are those requirements? Where is the public benefit that is going to flow from this? This is the same week that developers have been allowed to pour money into the LNP coffers. We could say this is a payday to major developers, but every day is a payday to major developers under this LNP government.

Mr MANDER: Let me reiterate what I said before. GIICA is a public entity that represents the state. Lo and behold, the GIICA board—who are the people responsible for developing our infrastructure—may include developers. Shock, horror: we have actually put people on the board who have experience in major infrastructure projects! What one person on that board could be criticised? Who could say that any of those people on that board are not qualified to be there? They have been universally accepted and everybody has praised their work from the 100-day review. Again, the Labor Party does what—

Ms GRACE: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance to the amendment.

Mr SPEAKER: I think the minister is responding to the comments made by the member for Bancroft.

Mr MANDER: Exactly. These scare campaigns are the only mode of operating that the Labor Party knows. It was proven to be unsuccessful last time, and the Premier went through each of those scare campaigns one by one today and said why theydid not work. People are over it. Theysee through it. They realise how ridiculous it is.

Mr Stevens: Politics of envy.

Mr MANDER: I take that interjection from the member for Mermaid Beach, who occasionally comes up with a good interjection: it is the politics of envy. They are worried about people who are successful and they criticise people who are successful. Here we have a board that is so well equipped to deliver what we said we were going to deliver—the Delivery Plan from the 100-day review. I am so happy that this Delivery Plan is in good hands in the GIICA board and the GIICA administration. The new CEO is a fantastic operator and very easy to work with.

Government members interjected.

Mr MANDER: He is very personable, very practical, very capable—I take all of those interjections. These scare campaigns that they continue to throw out are an insult to Queenslanders’ intelligence. Queenslanders are not silly and they can see what Labor are trying to do—that is, delay the process for political purposes. Labor would love it if we did not reach a deadline. We will reach every deadline well within the deadline to make sure we have enough time to prepare ourselves, particularly at the stadium, the aquatic centre and the athletes village at the Exhibition, which is going to have a great revamp. The Ekka have been asking for it for years but they were ignored by the previous Labor government. We will go to the Ekka in the future, sit on Machinery Hill and not get a sore backside.

Mr BERKMAN: Obviously, the terms of the clause limit what I might sayabout allof the downsides of this government’s broken promise and the plans to build the stadium on Victoria Park/Barrambin. I cannot go into the detail I might like about the cultural heritage values of that place. It is important to First Nations communities around here. The complete ignorance amongst government members of its cultural heritage significance tells the entire story.

Government members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Maiwar has the call, nobody else.

Mr BERKMAN: This amendment right here turns it into fee simple so it can be transferred to GIICA. That is the short-term proposal. What about beyond the Olympics? This is no longer in public hands; it is now regular, saleable land and, as we have heard, developers will be absolutely salivating over this inner-city property.

Mr Stevens interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Mermaid Beach, you are warned. You have done nothing but interject.

Mr BERKMAN: There is nothing preventing future iterations of this government or any other government from repurposing it. If it is in GIICA’s hands, why could it not end up in private developer’s hands in the future, even if it is used solely for the purposes they have suggested?

There is another real catch in here, and this is the one that jumps out at me immediately. In the context of this sitting week, where they have opened up the door for developers to donate directly into their pockets again, they have included the Gabba Arena. The old Goprint site, as we all know it, is now going to be an ‘other venue’ under the BOPGA Act.

Mr MANDER: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. The venue the member is referring to is not part of this amendment.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, could you confine your comments to this specific clause please, which is around freehold and transfer.

Mr BERKMAN: I do not purport to challenge the minister on this, but we are talking about clause 2 which is an extensive insertion of an entirely new part 1A. As I understand it, it does include provisions around the Goprint site and it does include the reclassification of the Goprint site. Expressions of interest are being taken at the moment from developers who want to make a bank off this Brisbane Arena site, and now they are going to be able to put in those expressions and put forward their proposals without any of the legislative barriers that might have existed previously. They will enjoy the privilege of all of those shortcuts. Whatever developer picks this up through the EOI process is getting money for jam. I remind everyone that this is the same week that these clowns over there have opened up their pockets: ‘Let’s get the developer dollars in there as quick as we can.’

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I find the language used unparliamentary and offensive.

Mr SPEAKER: I was just about to do that. Member for Maiwar, that language is unparliamentary. I ask you to withdraw.

Mr BERKMAN: Withdrawn. The LNP have been completely bought and sold by property developers this week and that tells us all we need to know about this party and this government.

(Time expired)

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I take personal offence and I ask that the member withdraw.

Mr SPEAKER: You were not named so you cannot take personal offence. Minister, would you like to respond?

Mr MANDER: There are a couple of things I want to say in response. With regard to the engagement with First Nations people, that has been done respectfully and for quite some time.

Mr McDonald: Meaningfully.

Mr MANDER: I will take that interjection from the member for Lockyer—it has been done meaningfully. GIICA have had very good discussions and ongoing consultations with the First Nations people there. That is the first thing I will say. The second thing I will say is that this land is under state tenure. Why aren’t you asking the same questions about Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, People First Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium or the Queensland Tennis Centre? These are all assets owned by the Queensland government under the control of Stadiums Queensland. It is a ridiculous question.

Mr Berkman interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar! If there is another outburst like that, you will not be in this chamber to have a vote.

Mr MANDER: Victoria Park is state land and it will always be state land, and BCC is a trustee. They are the facts. Let us put all of these ridiculous scare campaigns to bed now.

Amendment agreed to.

Clauses 2 to 9, as read, agreed to.

Clause 10—

Mr MANDER (8.59 pm): I move amendments Nos 3 to 5 circulated in my name— 3 Clause 10 (Amendment of s 31 (Resale of tickets))

Page 6, after line 22—

insert—

(1A) Section 31(1), penalty—

omit, insert—

Maximum penalty—

(a) or an individual—135 penalty units; or

(b) for a corporation—680 penalty units. 4 Clause 10 (Amendment of s 31 (Resale of tickets))

Page 6, line 23, after ‘Section 31(1)’—

insert—

, all words before penalty 5 Clause 10 (Amendment of s 31 (Resale of tickets))

Page 6, line 28 to page 7, line 2—

omit.

Amendments agreed to.

Clause 10, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 11 to 33, as read, agreed to.

Message from Governor