The LNP government has overhauled the board of Stadium Queensland, and reconsidered how it will deal with live music venues and the hospitality sector.
The LNP government has overhauled the board of Stadium Queensland, and reconsidered how it will deal with live music venues and the hospitality sector.
- Updated
- National
- Queensland
- City life
By Sean Parnell
January 17, 2025 — 11.53am
The Crisafulli government has put the LNP stamp on the oversight of state-owned stadiums and Queensland’s nighttime economy.
In announcements made on Friday, the Stadiums Queensland board has been refreshed with five new board members: Stephen Moore, Michael Dobbie-Bridges, Debra Rains, Mary-Ann Strelow and Clare Stewart.
Existing board members John Warn and Brendan O’Farrell will remain, with Warn stepping into the chairman role to replace Cathy McGuane.
In a statement, Sport Minister Tim Mander said that to ensure Queensland remained a global leader in sport and entertainment, the government needed “the right blend of experience and skills to guide Stadiums Queensland towards 2032”.
“That experience includes a former Paralympian, a former Wallabies captain, a former mayor who was also on the board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a wealth of business acumen which will hold the future in good stead,” Mander said.
Loading
The announcement came as the government also appointed a new 16-member advisory panel, to be chaired by Night-Life Economy Commissioner John Collins, who previously worked solo in a largely consultative role.
The panel members include Lindsay Carrol from the National Retail Association, Kelly Egan from Clubs Queensland, Bernie Hogan from the Queensland Hotels Association, Charlie Cush from the Brisbane Festival, and Max McBride from Taxi Council Queensland.
Griffith University criminologist Dominique De Andrade has also been appointed to the panel, reflecting the law and order controls that apply in Queensland’s safe night precincts.
Advertisement
Collins, the former Powderfinger bassist known as ‘JC’, welcomed the announcement, saying the panel would be able to develop strategies for future growth.
Loading
He acknowledged cost of living pressures were still affecting patronage and spending, and the industry had struggled since the pandemic.
Youth Minister Sam O’Connor said the government needed to “start work now to ensure our nightlife is pumping when Queensland is on the world stage in 2032”.
Already on the agenda is a rethink of liquor licensing, and measures to support the live music industry.
“Queensland is known around the world as a holiday mecca – an exciting and vibrant nightlife is an essential part of that.
Loading
“I look forward to the innovative ideas and recommendations that I know JC and this advisory panel will put forward to get our nightlife sector thriving,” O’Connor said.
Collins said the Games provided the impetus to “get our house in order” and vowed to consult widely.
“There’s obviously red tape regulation that comes up a lot, there is also sound issues in some of the (local government areas),” he said.
O’Connor made a point of mentioning that the first concert he attended was Powderfinger (Collins did not meet him until after the election).
The panel is due to meet for the first time in February.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Sean Parnell is the Editor of Brisbane Times. He has won journalism awards for analysis, investigations, news and sport, written a biography, and has a Graduate Certificate in (Digital) Business Administration. Sean lives in Brisbane with his family.Connect via Twitter or email.
Loading
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
