Leaders, elders want Brisbane Games to be ‘lighthouse’ for First Nations

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Leaders, elders want Brisbane Games to be ‘lighthouse’ for First Nations

By Tony Moore

The 2032 Olympics in Queensland should become a “lighthouse” to elevate First Nations culture, those at a Games “planning roadshow” in Brisbane heard on Friday.

“The Olympics can be really a showcase, a lighthouse, to really lift the conversation to incorporate the magnificent culture of the First Nations people,” Brisbane Games board president Andrew Liveris said.

“We are ready, I think, as a country.

“I think it is time for that, and I would love to make the Olympics one of the ‘work streams’ the nation has to integrate Aboriginal and Indigenous First Nations culture into our program.”

Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games board members met with members of the Barambah family from the Turrbal First Nations people and members of the Sandy and Ruska families from the Yuggera First Nations people on Thursday and Friday.

Days after she was sworn in as the federal Sport Minister, Anika Wells replaced former sport minister Richard Colbeck at the first Queensland meeting of the board as an observer before her appointment was formalised.

Sport Minister Anika Wells attends the first meeting of the Brisbane Organising Committee of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Sport Minister Anika Wells attends the first meeting of the Brisbane Organising Committee of the 2032 Olympic Games.Credit:Tony Moore

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed Brisbane-based Wells’ appointment: “She’s a Queenslander, she’s a woman and she’s been appointed sports minister.

“My advice is that she will be joining us as an observer until she is fully endorsed by the federal government.”

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The premier launched a $4 million First Nations Tourism Strategy in the Mossman Gorge this week and heard from Indigenous elders about history, the rainforest and “what it meant for First Nations people”.

“I want people from all around the world and all around Queensland to experience what I experienced,” she said.

Ruska family members representing the Yuggerah First Nations people pose with Brisbane Games president Andrew Liveris (second from left) at City Hall.

Ruska family members representing the Yuggerah First Nations people pose with Brisbane Games president Andrew Liveris (second from left) at City Hall.

“It was completely moving during Reconciliation Week and there is so much out there that we can show our tourists.”

The new chief executive for BOCOG would be chosen within months, Liveris said.

The board has established two subcommittees: a people and remuneration committee and an audit and finance committee.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said while the BOCOG board provided the strategic direction, the chief executive “worked each and every day to make things happen”.

“You cannot underestimate the importance of that role,” Schrinner said.

“So, it needs to be a local and international search. It would be fantastic if it was an Australian, or a Queenslander, but the choice needs to be the very best.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to implement a First Nations Voice to Parliament to allow Indigenous Australians a formal mechanism to comment on policy through the Uluru Statement.

Palaszczuk agreed it was time for this change, saying the Queensland government was developing a path to a treaty with First Nations people in the state.

“There will be further announcements about that in coming months,” she said.

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