Queensland Olympics minister stands aside after electoral commission makes referral to police
Queensland Olympics Minister Tim Mander has temporarily stepped aside after the state electoral commission referred concerns about his election-funding declarations to police. The decision comes at a critical stage of preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
ABC News Australia reported that the Queensland state electoral commission has referred a file on inconsistencies in Minister Tim Mander's 2024 and 2025 election-funding declarations to the Queensland police. Mander announced he is temporarily stepping aside from his Olympics and Vocational Training portfolios during the police review; the decision followed a meeting with Premier David Crisafulli.
In his statement, Mander said he will cooperate fully with the inquiry and continue serving as a member of the state parliament. The Liberal National Party leadership appointed Public Works Minister Sam O'Connor as acting minister; Olympics-preparation coordination will be managed by a temporary intra-cabinet committee.
Key infrastructure decisions for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics are due to be taken this summer; the rebuilding of the Gabba stadium and rapid-rail route alignments are awaiting cabinet approval. The Labor opposition spokesperson called for transparency on the preparation timeline. Details of the commission's report have not yet been made public.
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