Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has rejected suggestions his LNP government pushed Brisbane 2032 organising committee chief executive Cindy Hook out of the role, over concerns about its interference in the independent organising body.
Hook announced her impending departure, at the end of her four-year contract, on Tuesday.
Later that night, The Australian reported Hook felt “suffocated” by the Crisafulli government and had misgivings about its controversial insistence rowing and canoe events be held on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.
It was suggested in that reporting the LNP government would seek to have an ally installed to the role, and there were concerns in George Street about the amount of time she spent in her native US.
But, speaking on the Gold Coast on Wednesday morning, Crisafulli denied Hook was pushed out of the role.
“Her contract’s come to the end and the opportunity now is for the organisation to go to the next level,” he said.
“I certainly don’t wish her any harm.”
Asked whether there were concerns about the amount of time Hook spent outside of Brisbane, Crisafulli said that was “a decision for her” before pivoting to Brisbane 2032’s future operations.
“I guess the only response from me is you’ve got to say thank you for the service and for the time that she’s put in, and where the organisation is now,” he said.
“As often happens, the organisation now goes to the next stage with another leader with a different skill set. That’s a good opportunity for BOCOG [Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games] as a whole.”
They were similar sentiments to those Hook expressed on Tuesday when she made the announcement.
“The foundations for success have been well laid. This is the right time to hand over to a new CEO for the next phase,” she said in a prepared statement.
“I know Brisbane 2032 will deliver a Games that all Australians will be proud of, and I have every confidence the team will continue what we have started with a new leader.
“I look forward to seeing the Games vision brought to life and you can be sure I will be the greatest fan in the stands at the 2032 Games.”
Brisbane 2032 has already started a global search to find Hook’s replacement.
Asked whether the new chief executive should be a Queenslander, Crisafulli was non-committal.
“Well, that’s a process they’ll go through,” he said.
“I just want someone who wants to see the event be an outstanding success and build on the platform that’s been set and that she was a part of.”
