An interim report from the inquiry into the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games has found the State Government rushed the decision to host the Games and has blocked access to key documents needed for the inquiry.
The interim report was tabled in the Legislative Council yesterday.
The Nationals Member for Northern Victoria said the findings were extremely disappointing – especially for the Bendigo community, which had been promised a showcase of Games events.
“The Government voted against this inquiry, and the Premier who was then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery refused to appear to give evidence.”
“The Labor State Government seem to forget that they exist to serve the people of Victoria, and maintaining transparency in government is critical,” Ms Broad said.
The report found the timeframe for negotiating the hosting of the Games was too short, and the business case was inadequate.
“Time and again we see this Government fails to do their homework,” Ms Broad said.
“The report found the business case underestimated the potential infrastructure costs due to a range of factors including a lack of time and a lack of appropriately skilled labour in regional Victoria.
“In a damning finding, the report said that despite knowing the projected budget increases, the then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery (now Premier Jacinta Allan), and Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy did not volunteer this information at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings.
“It also found that despite the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions requesting a budget of $3.2 billion for the Games, the Government approved a budget of only $2.6 billion for the 2022/23 State Budget. The reasons for this are unclear.
“A consistent theme throughout the inquiry is that there was a lack of consultation between the government and stakeholders including councils, sporting groups and accommodation providers.”
Ms Broad said: “The cancellation of the Commonwealth Games is just another example that Labor cannot manage money and they cannot manage projects.”
The interim report is an overview of the evidence presented to the committee to date. The inquiry is still ongoing and further hearings will be held before the final report is due by April 2025.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
