News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Section 5]

Just another headline grab from the treasurer.
Labor had 2 big budget surpluses the previous two years.
Labor predicted coal royalties would slow down, and they did. Along with other issues a deficit was predicted for 2024/25.
Why would a treasurer have a press conference telling the world he thinks the credit agencies will downgrade our rating. Which of course will cost the government (taxpayer) a big bundle of extra interest on our borrowings if it happens.
Let the credit agencies make up their own mind.
As i have said previously they are still in opposition mode.
It is strange that when they get back in power their first budget adjustment predicts doom and gloom for 4 years under their watch.
Of course, magically when the actual budget is due in May, they will have reduced these deficits by a big margin.
They can then say how this saved the state from being downgraded. Unless we get downgraded before then because of his comments.
.............................................
A few paragraphs from the Guardian article.

"He warned the state would go from the country’s least, to its most indebted, in just four years, blaming the previous Labor government for blowouts in infrastructure projects."

“Knowing what we know now, with debt per capita tracking to be the worst in the country, it is highly likely that we will not just have an outlook downgrade, but that it’s highly likely we’ll have a rating downgrade too,” Janetzki said.

S&P Global Ratings confirmed Queensland’s AA+ rating in September.

University of Queensland professor of economics John Quiggin said the budget update reminded him of former premier Campbell Newman and his commission of inquiry and “Strong Choices” asset sales program.
“You could pretty much have cut and pasted their report from 2012 to what we’re seeing today, and the same warnings of disaster and so forth and obviously we haven’t seen any sign of that disaster,” he said.
........................................................

This won't affect the Olympic $7.1 billion venue budget, but we will likely see infostructure projects on hold for a time.

Crisafulli was hellbent on completion of the Caloundra to Maroochydore Rail line before the Olympics.
No way it gets done. In fact, getting to Caloundra by that time and having trains running will be a challenge.
Get that $20.4 billion ($8.4 + $12) out of the budget for a start, or whatever is in his forward estimates and things will start to look much better. I assume it is in their estimates as he wants the line completed.
Compare the estimated costs
Beerwah to Caloundra $4.35 billion. This has been budgeted for and should get completed.
Caloundra to Maroochydore $20.4 billion???
...................................................................
Below article Sunshine Coast News dated March 2024

https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com....ls-revealed/']proposed 37.8km dual-track line

with multiple stations between Beerwah and Maroochydore that would ease congestion in the rapidly growing region.

But there is a funding shortfall and the track won’t be completed in time for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

The summary said it would cost $5.4 billion to build the track from Beerwah to Caloundra, $8.4 billion to Birtinya and $12 billion to Maroochydore, with construction to start in 2026.

The state government has pledged $2.75 billion towards Stage 1 of the project, from Beerwah to Caloundra (19km), while the federal government has $1.6 billion on the table.

Mr Crisafulli said the LNP was committed to building a heavy rail line “in its entirety … all the way through to Maroochydore”.

Above saves me writing a reduced version.

Heading the channel 7 news tonight is Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie saying it's Labors fault Federal & State for not funding the Rail all the way to Maroochydore.
Funding is approved and starting for the Beewah to Caloundra line as i mentioned in my above post.
The remainder Caloundra to Maroochydore was just in "possible" planning stage.
It is very doubtful to proceed because of the big costs (above post) and return on investment.

Only Crisafulli promised it would be completed by the Olympics knowing full well it was not possible.
For some reason people believe politicians around elections without looking into anything they promise/say.
Even if Queensland funded it themselves immediately it is not possible to build in 6-7 years.

 

[Perrip]

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[GC2015]

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Geez. Never thought I'd see Newman and Palaszczuk siding together on an issue like this. So Newman said "We're not going to turn over public open space to a profit making venture."

... someone correct me if I'm wrong here but wasn't Newman the one that wanted to privatise public assets while he was the premier? Unbelievable.

Newman really has done a complete 180 on the LNP. Hard to take him seriously when you see clips like that and you know he pushed for the opposite when he was in power.

Also, how could they even delay this? Doesn't the LNP have complete power in Queensland right now?

 

[Grasshopper17]

Geez. Never thought I'd see Newman and Palaszczuk siding together on an issue like this. So Newman said "We're not going to turn over public open space to a profit making venture."

... someone correct me if I'm wrong here but wasn't Newman the one that wanted to privatise public assets while he was the premier? Unbelievable.

Newman really has done a complete 180 on the LNP. Hard to take him seriously when you see clips like that and you know he pushed for the opposite when he was in power.

Also, how could they even delay this? Doesn't the LNP have complete power in Queensland right now?

You might like to review the Franklin Dam controversy. I imagine if they really wanted to, they could pull as many strings as they like to draw this out for YEARS. Particularly if Labor gets returned federally this year, or, perhaps worse, we get a hung parliament with the greens and teals holding the balance of power.

It would be far better off for everyone if the review committee actively engages with the protest group, comes to some sort of compromise if at all possible, and gets them onside as best they can, as early as they can.

 

[Saucery]

If it’s decided already as pally says and it’s just a mud flingin exercise for 100 precious days that’s pretty poor

Yes, this knuckle head is blaming the Fed's for forgetting to do his homework.

Queensland deputy premier says he 'won't cop' federal infrastructure cuts

Jarrod Bleijie says he's seen a "newly revised" Infrastructure Priority List which shows the number of Queensland projects has been reduced from 29 to seven.

www.abc.net.au

 

[MSB ROYS]

Just back in Singapore after a few years and amazed at the infrastructure progress (mostly trains) during this time. There are pluses and minuses to the way it's run here but they have vision.
Our politicians are are more intent on political survival than making optimal, consensus decisions and moving forward. The Olympics planning has been a farce since the start and it's sad to say that it's not improving. Now queue irrelevant attention seekers like Newman for clicks, rather than having a constructive debate.

 

[braddsey]

yeah lets cut immigration and be taxed out the ass when the population pyramid inverts. i cant wait to pay 70% income tax so a boomer with 5 investment properties can retain the pension.

Actually the boomer with 5 investment properties would be over the asset test limit to retain the pension. Said boomer would need to offload their 5 investment properties and buy themselves a $6million house to live in. Maybe sublet downstairs off the books. Then they can retain the pension.

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

Just back in Singapore after a few years and amazed at the infrastructure progress (mostly trains) during this time. There are pluses and minuses to the way it's run here but they have vision.
Our politicians are are more intent on political survival than making optimal, consensus decisions and moving forward. The Olympics planning has been a farce since the start and it's sad to say that it's not improving. Now queue irrelevant attention seekers like Newman for clicks, rather than having a constructive debate.

A unicameral parliamentary system and 5 year terms helps with that. But long terms and fewer checks and balances leads to other issues

 

[braddsey]

A unicameral parliamentary system and 5 year terms helps with that. But long terms and fewer checks and balances leads to other issues

It also helps that Singapore is a city state about the same landsize as Canberra, with the population a little under 6million. A lot of taxes to build a world class metro in a relatively small space. They’d get nowhere if all those people were reliant on private transport!

 

[SizeMatters]

You might like to review the Franklin Dam controversy. I imagine if they really wanted to, they could pull as many strings as they like to draw this out for YEARS. Particularly if Labor gets returned federally this year, or, perhaps worse, we get a hung parliament with the greens and teals holding the balance of power.

It would be far better off for everyone if the review committee actively engages with the protest group, comes to some sort of compromise if at all possible, and gets them onside as best they can, as early as they can.

if anyone wants to strap themselves to trees and golf course flags then let them do it. I'll be the first to get behind the dozer to plow them into the fields.

Unless something big and unexpected happens, it WILL BE the Vic Park for the stadium. They just need to deal with it.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

if anyone wants to strap themselves to trees and golf course flags then let them do it. I'll be the first to get behind the dozer to plow them into the fields.

Unless something big and unexpected happens, it WILL BE the Vic Park for the stadium. They just need to deal with it.

I want a stadium at Vic Park too, but advocating the murder of those standing in the way is a bit much.

 

[dlanod]

I want a stadium at Vic Park too, but advocating the murder of those standing in the way is a bit much.

What if we put Collingwood guernseys on them?

 

[Nunez]

What if we put Collingwood guernseys on them?

Or what if they're Essendon uncles?!

 

[Black Panther]

Shocked to find out today that the Brisbane 2032 Organising Board has 24 members (including new appointment Greg 'The Great White Guppy' Norman)

How can any board be functional with so many members?!?!

Too many cooks something something

 

[Mr Ripper]

. .

 

[Lace Out]

When does the 100 year review conclude ?

 

[Perrip]

When does the 100 year review conclude ?

March 8 it hands the final report to the Queensland Government if I remember correctly

 

[Gadzorks]

What if we put Collingwood guernseys on them?

I want to use the laugh emoji - but I know a17 yo kid who is a pies fan and , outside that character flaw, he's doesn't deserve a bulldozer. Clip around the ear and told to wake up is appropriate though.

Is waking up woke?

 

[dlanod]

I want to use the laugh emoji - but I know a17 yo kid who is a pies fan and , outside that character flaw, he's doesn't deserve a bulldozer. Clip around the ear and told to wake up is appropriate though.

Is waking up woke?

Only once he woke up.

 

[Section 5]

Shocked to find out today that the Brisbane 2032 Organising Board has 24 members (including new appointment Greg 'The Great White Guppy' Norman)

How can any board be functional with so many members?!?!

Too many cooks something something

https://www.olympics.com/en/brisbane-2032/the-committee/board/

They have Liveris as the President and 6 vice presidents also according to the above link. John Coats being one.
Greg Norman to be added to the websites list below. Foun an image from 2023

Then there is Cindy Hook the CEO with 9 staff under her control at present.
A cynic may say 10 people doing the work with 25 overseeing their decisions.

I have no idea how it actually works but assume this is a normal process guided by the IOCs running of many Olympics.

 

[Black Panther]

For comparison the biggest listed company in Australia with 53,000 employees and $1.2 trillion (yes ... trillion) in assets - Commonwealth Bank - has 9 Board Members

 

[Perrip]

LA 2028 has 30 board members - About LA28
Paris 2024 had a big board as well - Wikipedia: Paris Organising Committee

 

[Black Panther]

LA 2028 has 30 board members

• Jessica Alba

LOL, seriously .... LOL

 

[Section 5]

March 8 it hands the final report to the Queensland Government if I remember correctly

Correct on March 8, that being the printed recommendations and the usual press conference (ASAP) announcing the results.

However, Crisafulli wants a draft in his hands by the 22nd/23rd of February.
Apparently, they want to factcheck the recommendations first. Give feedback on any questions that arise from the LNP.

That's only 23 days away or just 16 working days.
We are getting closer to what they decide but that does not mean clean sailing until the bulldozers move in.

 

[Lace Out]

At least the GWS would be rooting for big and bold