Premier and ministers asked to back SMEs for Olympic Games
By Kirra Livingstone
QUEENSLAND’S Community Cabinet members were quizzed by hinterland entrepreneurs about how the government will support small businesses at the 2032 Olympics during a Town Hall meeting on the coast last week (Aug 7).
The Sunshine Coast Community Cabinet provided opportunities to residents to request and have meetings with ministers.
Following this was a town hall like meeting held at the Baringa State School, where residents could ask questions to the cabinet.
Tanya Alison from Maleny Dairies asked the minister for energy and clean economy jobs, Mick de Brenni, about the government’s plans to support local Queensland owned businesses.
“We have had some unnecessary delays with the announcement of the metro north Q, which is still perhaps to do with political reasons, and noting this evening the milk supply was not supplied by a
local company, not even a Queensland company,” she said.
“My question is to Mick de Brenni, what is the current government’s commitment to Queensland SMEs to
sourcing local produce products for the 2032 Olympics.”
The minister responded by assuring the audience the government will endeavour to prioritise
Queensland businesses to provide for the 2032 Olympics. However, he could not go into detail
about the specific tender for the 2032 Olympics.
“You can all be assured the procurement ministerial advisory council (PMAC) who makes those decisions
have been asked to maximise the value for you as tax payers,” he said.
“That’s to ensure much of the money stays here in Queensland, and they’ll be looking to ensure Queenslanders who produce and manufacture those products, are the ones to get the best opportunity for that contract.
“I don’t make the decisions either and it’s very appropriate for decisions like that to be left to the people other than politicians.”
Other concerns raised include if infrastructure will keep up with the region’s expected growth, if the
Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Caloundra Station will be used enough, and if manufacturing and innovation will receive more funding. An indigenous man questioned after the result of the voice to parliament referendum, if indigenous people will have a say over their lives in Queensland.
