Brisbane Olympics 2032 stadium plan torn to shreds by Cate Campbell, Karl Stefanovic

Aussie Olympic champ Cate Campbell has become the latest high profile figure to torch the Queensland government’s Brisbane Olympics stadium backflip.

There has been a furious reaction to the government’s plan to spend billions of dollars upgrading the dilapidated Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre (QSAC) temporarily for the Olympics.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles confirmed on Monday that the government will ignore advice from an independent review, which had recommended a $3.4 billion, 55,000-seat venue be built in Brisbane’s inner-north at Victoria Park.

That review was in response to concerns about the previous $2.7 billion plan to redevelop the Gabba.

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Instead of those grand plans, Miles revealed on Tuesday he has decided to proceed with a plan to spend $1.6 billion to transform the QSAC site into a boutique 40,000 seat stadium.

That would make the Brisbane Olympic stadium the smallest the Games has seen since the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, 104 years ago.

Campbell on Wednesday morning suggested government officials are putting their careers ahead of what is best for the state’s long term future by taking the cheap option.

“I just think that this is a case of politics getting in the way of progress,” Campbell told Today Show host Karl Stefanovic.

“We thought that we had nearly a four year head start to prepare and get ready for these games. And it’s just been squandered. Time and time again.

“I mean, this review cost $450,000. And I know that the state premier is talking about cost of living and not wanting to spend things, but you’ve just spent $450,000 on a review when you had a perfectly good action plan.

“I think first and foremost, it’s reassuring for the athletes that the games are going ahead, but I think it’s disappointing to see so much negative rhetoric around it and let’s not forget that one of the most watched events in Australian history was Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Olympic Games that was only topped by the Matildas win over France.

“And so it really shows the power of sport in uniting Australia. And I think that we are really squandering an incredible opportunity by all this bickering, by short term visions, by the government looking for ways to keep themselves in a job as opposed to what will actually be good for South east Queensland in the future.”

She said Brisbane’s dated stadium options are why Queensland has fallen behind other states in attracting major events.

“We’ve had Taylor Swift say that no, she’s not coming to Queensland because there’s not enough stadiums to host her and we have Coldplay going to Perth because they have more venues than south east Queensland does, and it’s just simply not good enough,” she said.

“We have an opportunity to put Brisbane on the world stage, both for sporting events but also international entertainment events, and this is a real legacy opportunity that I think is being missed, because politicians are short sighted and thinking of their own personal gains, rather than what is best for south east Queensland.”

It comes as Stefanovic said the small stadium plan was “embarrassing” on the world stage.

The situation looked particularly dire on Tuesday night when it was revealed the state government considered exploring an exit strategy to cancel hosting the Games altogether.

Advice received by the government indicated it would cost at least $500m in compensation, as well as other costs if they backed out of hosting the event.

It would also have meant the federal government would withdraw $3bn in funding for the state.

The state government ultimately decided to proceed because it was better value for taxpayers and Queensland’s reputation than cancelling, the broadcaster reported.

But a spokeswoman for the government dismissed the report.

The government has come in for some stinging criticism as a result of the fiasco.

Rugby league broadcaster Phil Gould led the charge writing: “Oh please… it’s the Olympic Games… our country will be on show to the world… build it big and build it special.”

Tennis star John Millman also expressed shock at the plan: “But you’re planning on spending billions on old ones and some temporary seating?”

Radio presenter Shane McInnes chimed in: “As it stands right now these are the next three venues to host Athletics at the Olympic Games. 2024 PARIS: Stade de France, 2028 LA: Los Angeles Coliseum, 2032 BRISBANE: Queensland Sport & Athletics Centre. Two are world class venues. One is a joke. Embarrassed [Stephen Miles]?”

Sports journalist Mark Gottlieb suggested the “Brisbane” Olympics should instead be held in Sydney, “Don’t have to spend a cent. The perfect Olympics for the Queensland Government,” he wrote sarcastically.