As athletes compete on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad says regional Victorians are reflecting on what could have been.
Victoria was originally set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across regional centres including Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton, Geelong and Gippsland before the Labor Government abandoned the event after making major commitments to regional communities.
Ms Broad said what should have been a proud moment for Victoria had instead become a reminder of Labor’s broken promises.
“What should have been a moment of pride for regional Victoria instead stands as an international embarrassment that only highlights the opportunities lost for our communities,” Ms Broad said.
“Communities across regional Victoria should have been welcoming athletes, officials and visitors from around the world. Instead, many communities have been left with little more than broken promises after Labor raised expectations and then walked away.”
Ms Broad said regional communities were promised a raft of regional development and new infrastructure projects that were used to justify the Games bid.
“Regional Victorians were promised new facilities, housing and economic opportunities. Instead, taxpayers were left with enormous cancellation costs and communities were left disappointed.”
“While athletes compete and host communities enjoy the benefits of this international event, Victorian taxpayers are still paying for a cancellation that delivered little for regional communities. Regional Victoria did not get the infrastructure, the tourism boost or the legacy we were promised.”
“The Allan Labor Government failed to deliver the Commonwealth Games, but they have delivered plenty of records – including record debt, record taxes, record red tape and record potholes.”
Ms Broad said, “Regional Victorians deserve better. Under the Fair Share Guarantee, 25% of all new infrastructure expenditure will be allocated in regional Victoria – going towards projects such as schools, hospitals, roads, emergency services, mental health and other community infrastructure.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
