Sports administrator and former Labor government minister Mark Arbib said he wants to “inspire and advance” the country after he was appointed chief executive of the Australian Olympic Committee for the run-in to the 2032 Brisbane Games.
The 53-year-old has served on the AOC’s executive committee since 2016, and has been central in preparations for the 2032 Games as chair of the AOC’s Brisbane Legacy and Impact Committee. He was previously a federal government sport minister and president of Athletics Australia for six years until 2021.
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Arbib said it was an honour to lead the Australian Olympic movement. “The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport – both in Australia and across the globe,” he said. “To be chosen as chief executive of the Australian Olympic Committee, with a home Games in 2032, is an incredible opportunity to harness the power of the rings to inspire and advance our nation.”
AOC president Ian Chesterman said Arbib’s experience runs “deep and wide” and he has demonstrated a passion for athletes. “Mark is highly skilled in the workings of the sports system having served as president of Athletics Australia for six years,” he said. “Together with his experience in government, business, fundraising and philanthropy, I look forward to him bringing his unique and compelling skillset to the operations of the AOC.”
From his experience as a trade unionist in the 1990s, Arbib rose quickly in the right faction of the NSW Labor party in the 2000s. In 2007 he was elected a NSW senator at the age of 35, and was the first Labor frontbencher to publicly back same-sex marriage in 2010.
As a so-called “kingmaker”, he played a major role in the party’s tumultuous period when in 2010 Kevin Rudd was replaced as prime minister by Julia Gillard. But the saga triggered a change in his career. Arbib sensationally retired from politics in 2012 to help the party “heal” following the first of three leadership spills faced by Gillard, and he subsequently pursued opportunities in sport and media.
“I’ve seen first hand the extraordinary power of the Olympic movement to unite and transform lives,” Arbib said. “I’ve also had the pleasure of working alongside our national federations over many years and know well the important role they play in delivering all the great benefits sport brings to our communities.
“I am committed to working tirelessly for athletes – and making sure they are at the heart of everything we do. There are no better role models in sport.”
Arbib replaces Matt Carroll, who chose to resign to provide his successor with enough time to prepare for the 2032 Brisbane Games. The new chief executive commences in the role on 5 May.
