The final report into the 2026 Commonwealth Games has confirmed the exercise was an overwhelmingly expensive debacle for Victoria.
The report was tabled in Parliament’s Upper House today. The 18-month inquiry led to 62 findings and six recommendations. It heard from 89 witnesses and held a range of regional hearings including in Bendigo.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said the committee’s findings highlighted the failure of the project on many levels.
“This has now become known as the Con Games,” Ms Broad said.
“Ministers and government representatives refused to appear at hearings and withheld documents. Victoria now owes more than $580 million because of the failed Games.
“This reflects a bigger issue with the Allan Labor Government’s failure to ensure transparency, a lack of oversight, poor governance and terrible decision making.
“It is an embarrassment for the government, the state and a massive waste of taxpayers’ money. It made a mockery of Victoria on the world stage.”
The much-hyped Games were cancelled in July 2023 by the then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery (now Premier) Jacinta Allan.
“Regional communities, sporting groups, businesses, tourism groups and schools were left devastated at the loss of the games and the promised benefit to the local communities. Instead, they were promised a range of legacy projects focusing on sporting infrastructure and housing.”
Ms Broad has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament amid a lack of transparency over the promised projects and the funds.
“The State Government exists to manage money, public money, so you would expect transparency in the process,” Ms Broad said.
“The cancellation of the Commonwealth Games is just another example that Labor cannot manage money and cannot manage projects, and Victorians continue to pay the price.”
The inquiry by the Select Committee on the 2026 Commonwealth Games went ahead despite the Government’s earlier attempts to block the investigation.
The committee’s final report can be found here: Inquiry-into-the-2026-commonwealth-games-bid
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
