Auckland, New Zealand — 20 May 2026 · ONOC Media

Presenting as part of the 2026 ONOC XLVI Annual General Assembly (AGA) Week, the Minister told delegates the countdown was firmly underway, pointing to the Games' vision — Believe, Belong, Become — and a once-in-a-generation chance for the whole region to step onto the world stage.

‍

“It's now six years, two months and a couple of days until the games start in Brisbane in 2032, and I can tell you we are excited. Not only is it Brisbane's games, not only is it Queensland's games, not only is it Australia's games, it's Oceania's games as well.” — Hon. Tim Mander MP, Minister for Sport, Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Australia

‍

The Minister singled out parasport as a defining legacy of the Games, citing Queensland's investment in accessibility, inclusive design and a growing pipeline of para-athletes. He also highlighted the Games' regional spread, with events planned beyond Brisbane in Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays, Rockhampton and Toowoomba, and a tourism and economic dividend for Queensland and its Pacific neighbours.

‍

‍

Brisbane 2032 Chief Executive Officer Cindy Hook outlined the operational picture: a balanced budget targeting “$0 from taxpayers,” 17 new or upgraded venues, and a delivery model built on partnership. She reminded delegates that the warmth of the welcome would sit at the centre of the Games experience.

‍

‍

“It takes a village to deliver the games. Aussies are known around the world for being really warm and welcoming, and the nations across Oceania, when you come here, you feel included, you're warmly welcomed and embraced.” — Cindy Hook, Chief Executive Officer, Brisbane 2032

‍

Chief Sport Officer Kit McConnell placed athletes firmly at the centre of the organising committee's work, confirming that Brisbane 2032 had aligned its sport-programme timelines with the IOC, was advancing village and pre-Games training planning, and would shortly open a dedicated Brisbane 2032 space on the IOC's NOCnet platform for all National Olympic and National Paralympic Committees.

‍

“Our games are about putting athletes at the centre, and that doesn't just mean athletes at the centre of the planning — it means putting the athletes also at the heart of our organising committee.” — Kit McConnell, Chief Sport Officer, Brisbane 2032

‍

That athlete-first commitment was echoed by Olympic swimming great Susie O'Neill, Chair of the Brisbane 2032 Athlete and Sport Advisory Group, which brings together eight Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure the athlete experience is prioritised throughout Games planning.

‍

“Really, it's the athletes that we're all doing this for.” — Susie O'Neill, Chair, Brisbane 2032 Athlete and Sport Advisory Group

‍

McConnell closed by underscoring the strength of the regional partnership, pointing to a dedicated working group involving ONOC, the Oceania Paralympic Committee, the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, and the Australian and Queensland governments established to turn the week's discussions into an integrated plan for Oceania.

‍

“We will stay true to the commitments of the games for the whole region throughout this whole journey.” — Kit McConnell, Chief Sport Officer, Brisbane 2032

‍

The presentation captured a defining feature of AGA Week (17–23 May): the way it has brought partners, governments and Games organisers under a single roof alongside the region's National Olympic Committees, with athletes at the heart of every conversation. Held under the theme “From Strategy to Performance: Aligning Oceania NOCs for LA28 and Beyond,” the week has positioned Brisbane 2032 within ONOC's wider drive toward stronger governance, systems and Games readiness.

‍

‍

“This is exactly what AGA Week is designed to do — bring our partners, governments and Games organisers together under one roof so that Oceania moves from strategy to performance, aligned and future-ready, with our athletes at the heart of every decision. Brisbane 2032 is the region's Games, and the work we begin here is how we carry that ambition all the way to 2032.” — President Baklai Temengil-Chilton, ONOC

‍

Closing the session, President Temengil-Chilton welcomed the Australian update and the long runway it offers the region, confirming that ONOC's Games Commission, working closely with the Pacific Games Council, would help drive Oceania's engagement.

‍

“It's quite exciting, because six years is not far, and we are keen to really engage with you. Please, let's give a hand to the Brisbane 2032 team — a major commitment for our next eight years.” — President Baklai Temengil-Chilton, ONOC