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The federal government has confirmed the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) will stay in Canberra, as recommended by an independent review.
The Albanese government announced the review into the AIS amid calls to move the institute to south-east Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games — and part of the terms of reference was to consider the optimal location for the site.
ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said the review made it clear that the AIS should remain in Canberra.
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said it was clear that relocating the AIS would "compromise athlete preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics".
"Keeping the AIS in Canberra will help guide effective investment in sporting facilities to ensure the AIS continues to best support high-performance athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032," she said.
Review will be considered in context of the budget: Gallagher
The federal government received the review at the end of January, but findings will not be released until the government has fully considered them.
The review was conducted by the chair of the National Intermodal Corporation, Erin Flaherty, and CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia, Robyn Smith OAM.
Senator Gallagher said recommendations are currently being considered as part of budget deliberations.
She also argued the former government had "neglected" the institute.
"[But] we are working methodically bit by bit to address those shortfalls," Senator Gallagher said.
When asked about whether funding for work would be split with the territory, Senator Gallagher said the federal government will work in partnership with the ACT around some of the issues highlighted in the review, but described the report as "a Commonwealth responsibility".
"The ACT government has no shortage of other responsibilities," Senator Gallagher said.
"But we want to work with them to get the best outcome about maximising the potential on that site."
In its submission to the review, the ACT government argued Canberra was the best location for a "revitalised" AIS, describing it as an integral part of Canberra's sporting, cultural and economic landscape over the past 40 years.
AIS needs investment, not relocation: David Pocock
The ACT government, opposition and ACT Senator David Pocock all agreed that it was important the AIS remain in Canberra.
The Independent Sports Commission and former head of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates also said the AIS should remain in the capital.
"We have the Australian Sports Commission who are an independent expert body and part of what they do is look after the AIS," Senator Pocock said in October last year, when the review was announced.
"They have said the place for it is in Canberra and what it needs is investment and upgrades – not a relocation."
Senator Gallagher said part of the review was also to find out what resources and investment the AIS needs to properly support high-performance athletes.
"That is absolutely fundamental to why we had the review," she said.
AIS arena set to re-open this year
The entire area is set to receive a face lift, with the ACT government already committed to redeveloping Canberra Stadium as part of the AIS precinct.
Amid debates over Canberra Stadium, which one Canberra Raiders coach once labelled the "worst" in the country, AIS Arena has been closed for major sporting events and concerts since 2020.
Former ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja wanted the ACT government to "come to the table" when it came to funding repairs, but ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry said that was "ridiculous", pointing out the ACT does not own it or have any responsibility over its maintenance.
The AIS Arena is set to re-open this year after $15 million of repair work.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr called the arena an "interim solution".
"It will still leave us with the problem that its capacity is too small for a lot of major touring artists, and it is also too small for a lot of international sporting events," Mr Barr said.