Behind the Golden Glow: The Soft Power, Potemkinism, and Protest of Australian Mega-Events

Abstract

As Australia looks forward to hosting the 2032 Olympics, it is an opportune time to reflect on the hard edges of mega-event soft power in the land down under, especially in relation to Brisbane’s experience with Expo 88. This chapter provides a brief review of the history of Australian mega-events, including international exhibitions and the Olympic Games. It then applies a lens of Potemkinism to Brisbane, the Queensland state capital, and the surrounding region that will host the XXXV Olympiad. The golden glow associated with this event conceals a complex and contested history of neoliberal ambitions, demolition, and displacement. That Queensland is already a destination for domestic and in..