QSport Calls on Next State Government to Step Up Its Partnership with Sport on the Runway to Brisbane 2032

QSport has released its 2024 State Election Brief, which calls on the next State Government to forge more effective partnerships with the industry to unlock additional benefits in terms of policy, planning, investment and impact.

More than 1.2 million Queenslanders are actively involved in the programs and services provided by State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) and their community-level clubs and associations, and the industry’s economic contribution is estimated at more than $21 billion per annum.

In consultation with SSOs, the Queensland Olympic Council (QOC) and other sporting bodies, the Election Brief identifies four priorities that the next State Government must work in partnership with sport to address; organisational capability, places and spaces for sport, sport workforce development and Brisbane 2032 Games readiness and legacy.

Key challenges include:

• Securing Government investment in attracting and hosting international events in Queensland in the lead-up to 2032, squandering the economic benefits and opportunities to develop a local Games-ready workforce they would provide
• Sports are being invited by international federations to host test events ahead of 2032, and international teams want to begin training in Queensland, but the required facilities are not available
• More than 80% of state sporting organisations highlight building and retaining their volunteer workforce as a ‘critical’ or ‘major’ concern.

QSport Chair, Ben Callard says sports are facing many challenges particularly in relation to funding and facilities.

“The majority of sporting organisations are small and medium-sized not-for-profit businesses doing their utmost to deliver sport across the state despite rising cost pressures, facility shortages and workforce churn.

“Schemes like FairPlay vouchers reduce barriers to Queenslanders playing sport, but they’re not accompanied by a commensurate supply-side investment from Government in sporting organisations, meaning sports are repeatedly asked to do more and more with less.

“As the bedrock of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland’s sport industry seeks an improved partnership and a better deal from the next State Government if it is to play its part in delivering this once-in-a-generation spectacle and realising the promised legacies.”

Tim Klar, QSport CEO, highlighted the central role sport can play in advancing the social, economic and wellbeing ambitions of the next State Government, saying “Sport is a state-wide platform that Government can leverage to address priorities across multiple departments. Sport drives positive changes across business, health, education, tourism, environment and gender equity domains and we can do more with greater investment and support.

We’re inviting the next Government to more effectively engage and consult with QSport and organisations across the sector to ensure investment and support reflect and reinforce sport’s central role in the lives of Queenslanders and their communities”.