How businesses deepen political connections amid a battle for a proposed $2.5b arena home to the Brisbane 2032 swimming program. ausbiz auspol
, whose backers include Powderfinger guitarist John “JC” Collins. It proclaims to run or have stakes in more than 250 venues, including New Zealand’s 12,000-seat Spark Arena, and boasts 40,000 shows and festivals, including Chicago’s Lollapalooza.In Queensland, Live Nation and ASM hired politically connected lobbyists. Live Nation recruited Anacta Strategies, whose co-founder is former ALP state secretary Evan Moorehead.
LNP politician Tim Mander, for instance, took tickets to Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Cher, including while deputy opposition leader. He’s now shadow Olympics minister.ALP deputy premier Steven Miles also received five Wiggles concert tickets , two to Taylor Swift, rugby league tickets, and diarised invitations with ASM to concerts of Elton John, The Killers and crooner Ed Sheeran.Miles even texted ASM’s Lister about meeting Sheeran personally in February.
ASM’s Lister maintains venue operators usually have a “contracted obligation” to make available some seats for venue owners or representatives, with Queensland’s government owning big stadiums. “Quite often” the operator then has no idea who will attend, he says, acknowledging it is most often ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities.
Further, the economics stunk – not unknown for stadiums. Brisbane Live received a benefit-cost ratio of 0.36. A figure of more than 1 indicates quantified projected benefits exceed costs. Further analysis was to occur.
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