Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has declared he will not "kiss" the "arse" of his Brisbane counterpart Adrian Schrinner in order to secure a spot on the 2032 Olympic Games planning committee.
Speaking to ABC Gold Coast, Cr Tate watered down suggestions he had been snubbed from the committee because he had left the South East Queensland Council of Mayors.
He also denied that he and Brisbane's Lord Mayor did not get on.
"I don't even know the guy," he said.
"I met him a couple of times — he's a newbie, so last time we showed him around [the Home of the Arts], had a good lunch and a few cold beers together.
"I didn't have an inkling that there was a dislike there, so it's up to him.
"I don't mind him at all — I think he's a great guy, but then, I can't read somebody else's mind.
"I can only be myself and do my best for the city.
Cr Tate's comments come after two former athletes – Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook and sprinter Patrick Johnson – were recently added to the committee despite the Gold Coast hosting nine events and an athletes' village during the Games.
Redlands Mayor Karen Williams is also on the committee.
"I don't really understand the Brisbane mentality," Cr Tate told ABC Gold Coast.
"I think it's a bit of jealousy, like your little brother seems to get the limelight, then they get [the feeling] they're ugly sister, and that's how I feel and that's not going to win any favours."
The Brisbane 2032 committee will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of the games including sponsorship, broadcasting, ceremonies and logistics.
The Premier's announcement of Natalie Cook and Patrick Johnson completes her nominees to the 22 member group.
Five more independent directors, agreed to by the Premier and Prime Minister, will be announced soon.
No link to council exit, Tate says
Cr Tate was adamant his departure from the South East Council of Mayors had nothing to do with his not being appointed to the committee.
He said suggesting that was the case was "not logical", because when the Olympics were first announced the Gold Coast was not part of the Council of Mayors.
The SEQ Council of Mayors consists of 11 Mayors working to deliver collaborative outcomes for the region but Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate isn't a member.
In June last year Gold Coast Council decided to discontinue its membership.
"Don't forget it was called [South East Queensland] 2032 initially and they needed the Gold Coast to be there, because we're a large chunk of the SEQ 2032," Cr Tate said.
"But when we signed off with support we weren't on the Council of Mayors … now to say, 'Oh, you've got to be on the Council of Mayors to be on that board, we're not going to spend $350,000 of ratepayers funds every year just for me to be a member on the board — that's ridiculous.
Cr Tate, who has been to Paris to speak with delegates about the 2024 Olympics, said other countries recognised the importance of the Gold Coast's input in large sporting events.
"If the French can [say], 'Oh yeah, oui oui, Gold Coast, come on in,' and Brisbane up the road is a bit like, 'Oh, we know better than you' — it's a ridiculous attitude," he said.
The Gold Coast mayor said he would still work to offer "suggestions" to the committee from "outside the tent".
