Aboriginal group launches legal bid to stop Brisbane Olympic stadium

The Jagera Aboriginal Corporation claims the stadium will occupy a heritage site

The group is seeking an injunction against the Queensland Government and the event's organizers, alleging that the stadium will infringe upon a sacred area. The venue, which is set to host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events, is a centerpiece of the Games. The claim asserts that the stadium construction violates the Commonwealth Aboriginal Heritage Act of 2006.

Responsibility of Authorities

In a statement released on Monday, the corporation's chairman, Chris Dawson, emphasized the significance of the location. "Jagera Country encompasses some of Brisbane's most iconic landmarks and tells the story of our ancestors," said Dawson. The heritage site contains artworks, stone tools, and cultural landscapes that provide evidence of our past, as well as a registered sacred site.

Project Alternatives

Dawson went on to suggest that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Board explore alternative venues that would not impede the heritage site. "It is our firm view that given the significance of this location to the First Nations people, particularly the Jagera and Turrbal clans, there are other more suitable sites that can be considered for the construction of the stadium," he said.

Next Steps

The Jagera Aboriginal Corporation has initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia, seeking a injunction against the Queensland Government and the event's organizers. The case is set to test the limits of cultural heritage legislation and its compatibility with organizing large-scale sporting events.