Australia announces funding for Brisbane 2032 Paralympic athletes

Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has announced $427,000 in additional funding through the Para Athlete Barrier Fund to support 144 athletes across 22 disciplines as preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games continue. The grants, which can reach up to $4,000 per athlete, aim to assist in sports such as wheelchair rugby, climbing, and taekwondo by removing financial obstacles to high-performance training.

Regarding the broader 2032 Games, Wells addressed budget tensions, clarifying that the federal government’s contribution is capped at $3.43 billion under an intergovernmental agreement. She noted that the total infrastructure budget of $7.1 billion is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that the Queensland government underwrites the Games.

While expressing support for the Games, Wells noted disagreements with the Queensland government regarding stadium locations, specifically preferring the Brisbane Arena at Woolloongabba over the Victoria Park site. She also voiced support for the inclusion of netball in the Olympic program.