AusLeisure

The Queensland Government's commitment to the Gold Coast's 2018 Commonwealth Games bid has been underscored by Premier Anna Bligh appointing Peta-Kaye Croft as Parliamentary Secretary for the Commonwealth Games in this weekâs cabinet reshuffle.
Premier Bligh explained "some people have suggested that following the floods we should abandon the bid - but it's too important for the Gold Coast and for Queensland (and) no-one knows the Gold Coast better than Peta-Kaye Croft.
"She's knows what a boost it would be for the Gold Coast to secure the Games and she'll do a great job assisting me in promoting the Coast as the ideal location for the 2018 Games."
The Premier said it was worth pointing out some lessons from history in relation to floods and Commonwealth Games, adding "the 1982 Commonwealth Games were eight years after the 1974 floods. We had put the floods behind us and the Games were seen as a real coming of age for the city and for Queensland.
"The 2018 Games would be eight years after the 2010/11 floods. By then the state's massive rebuilding effort will be over and the Gold Coast Games would be a big shot in the arm for the Coast and for Queensland."
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said she was delighted with the new position as Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Premier on the Gold Coast and Commonwealth Games, stating "a successful bid would mean millions of dollars in new infrastructure for the region and would create thousands of jobs (and) would set the Gold Coast up for decades to come. This is a tremendous opportunity and I will do everything I can to help push our bid."
Postholders in leisure and related portfolios in the new Bligh Ministry include:
Paul Lucas - Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State;
Rachel Nolan - Finance and Arts;
Kate Jones - Environment and Resource Management;
Phil Reeves - Child Safety and Sport; and
Jan Jarratt - Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business.

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