Bligh attended New Delhi, where the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is preparing for its Assembly, while in the Indian capital as part of an overseas trade mission.

Bligh says preliminary plans have been made for a Gold Coast bid, but a final decision will not be made until early next year.
 

She said: "We've had a very positive reaction but there's a lot of stiff competition.
 

"New Zealand's very keen about Auckland and we do expect to see Nigeria bid so we're going away with a lot of information and we've had a warm welcome."

Nigeria is expected to put forward Abuja, its capital beaten by Glasgow for the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, while other bidders could come from Nairobi in Kenya and Durban in South Africa.

Bligh claims hosting the Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 could cost almost A$1 billion (£570 million).

She said: "Making a bid to host the Games is a significant decision for Government and not one that we will take lightly.
 

"Initial estimates suggest that it could cost around A$970 million (£553 million) over the next decade to prepare for and stage the event, including the cost of building the new infrastructure."

Bligh revealed that the State Government has developed preliminary plans on how the Gold Coast could host the Games, including plans for a new velodrome and Athlete's Village.

She said Queensland's State Parliament the final decision on whether to bid will be made early next year, but the event would bring huge economic benefits.

Bligh said: "It's estimated that more than 30,000 jobs across a range of industries would be generated if the Games go ahead in Queensland.
 

"Jobs in construction, manufacturing, recreation, cultural and business services and of course, the huge boost the games would deliver to the tourism industry - not just on the [Gold] Coast - but throughout the state."

Perry Crosswhite, the chief executive of the Australian Commonwealth Games Federation (ACGF), said: "The visit of the Premier is to is probably more about a fact-finding mission - just to find out whether there would be support for a bid from the Gold Coast.
 

"We haven't formally decided to bid and that decision will be made between the the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and the Queensland Government probably in the New Year."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected].


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