Those same pointy heads also decided the Games was a golden opportunity to impose some social engineering upon the hapless populace.
In particular the ulterior motive of the travel restrictions was to teach locals to rely on public transport, and they stated as much at the time. For example, tradies were expected to carry their tools on the bus to work!?
Then there was the debacle around volunteers who were presented a bible size handbook covering a mish-mash of political correctness only embraced by the public service. Volunteers were advised to dispense with traditional 'G'day' welcomes to be replaced with an aboriginal greeting word no one had ever heard before, including local indigenous groups. As a result volunteers quit in droves.
And who could forget the lamentable nightly entertainment precincts at Surfers and Broadbeach full of performing TAFE musical students and attended by two blokes and a dog. It was embarrassing. And I'm not talking about the pathetic closing ceremony where spectators left well before full time in disgust.
All up the Games was a great big public sector pile-on best exemplified by CEO, Peter 'Sorry' Beatie. Not only did he preside over this disaster on a $1m salary but he had the gall at the end to put his hand out for a $500k performance bonus! No one does entitled chutzpah like failed State Premiers.
