Premier David Crisafulli's Rockhampton rowing commitment for 2032 Olympic Games a message to regional Queensland

Australia Broadcast Center

26-07-2025

They say the two don't mix, but there's a lot of politics in sport, and even more sport in politics.
It's hardly been more apparent than this week.
Who would've thought a croc-infested Central Queensland river would become such a flashpoint in the journey to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games?
The "mighty Fitzroy", in the words of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, is slated to host rowing and canoeing in 2032.
Not so mighty in the eyes of national and international rowing bodies, which have expressed concerns over whether it meets technical requirements.
Good luck convincing the government of that.
The premier and his deputy have repeatedly said if it's good enough for local kids, it's good enough for "Pierre from Paris" (at times in a bad accent).
When asked on Wednesday about what would be done about the Fitzroy's croc population for the Games, Jarrod Bleijie first responded, "What crocodiles?".
For reference, a government monitoring program from 2016 to 2019 found there were 0.2 crocodiles per kilometre in the Fitzroy River. How do you like those odds, Pierre?
When pushed on the issue, Mr Bleijie snapped back with a gold medal sound bite.
"These things are not jumping on canoes and downing things, just like Jaws is not downing the surfers when the surfers surfed in Tahiti for the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Prehistoric apex predators aside, the river has verifiable issues around its length and current.
While technical assessments have begun, the decision on whether the Central Queensland waterway is suitable ultimately lies with World Rowing, not the Queensland government.
So that's the sport of it all, what about the politics?
Standing behind the premier on the banks of the Fitzroy on Wednesday were Donna Kirkland and Nigel Hutton, the LNP members for Rockhampton and Keppel, respectively.
The first-time MPs clinched their electorates on the back of massive swings against Labor.
Central Queensland was Labor heartland, and the October election was the first time since 1932 that the party lost the seat of Rockhampton.
The LNP came to government through the regions, where concerns about youth crime were more acute than in the south-east.
Of Labor's 36 seats, just three are outside of south-east Queensland.
Its return to power can only be found through wins in the regions, something the premier and his government are distinctly aware of.
Mr Crisafulli's commitment to rowing in Rocky is a commitment to its constituents, repaying the faith they've shown the LNP.
And if the Fitzroy is deemed not up to scratch, that'll come from an international body, conveniently absolving the premier of blame.
Maybe Pierre from Paris will cop another spray.
Politicians trying their hand at sport is etched into Australian folklore.
Peter Dutton kicking a footy into a camera and cutting the operator's head, Scott Morrison tackling a small child, John Howard's failed bowling attempt.
Mr Crisafulli, a former television journalist, is no stranger to the spotlight.
But he's cautious with his carefully cultivated image and brand, reticent to join that storied group.
When the opportunity arose this week to take to the river to experience what rowing might be like, he instead sent his sports minister.
Watching from a boat alongside, Mr Crisafulli saved himself from any potential embarrassment or puns from eager journalists.
It's not the first time the premier has opted out of sporting endeavours, his pre-election small target strategy extending to what his media team would allow him to do for the cameras.
Perhaps he'll become more intrepid in the future if his firm grip on the electorate waivers.