Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a major cost blow-out estimation by the government.

Queensland was the last Australian state to hold a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. So where will the 2026 Commonwealth Games now be held? Image source: Shutterstock.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, July 18, the Premier was resolute in his decision not to proceed with hosting the 12-day event, due to the significant increase in funding from the original budgeted $2.6b to $7b.

'I’m not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event. It’s about: Do you deliver it at any cost or not? And the answer is we’re not,' Mr Andrews said.

He added that his government had considered 'every conceivable option' and had finalised the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Monday (17 July)—before any major contracts had been signed.

The Victorian Premier also stated the government was not ready to release exactly what the cost of abandoning the Games would be but confirmed they would be 'fully accounted for' at some point in the future, and 'very little costs had been incurred to this point.'

'I’m not going to negotiate with the Commonwealth Games authorities via the media in Melbourne, when I’ve got a team of people doing exactly that in London', he said.

In lieu of the Games, Mr Andrews then announced the government would instead use the $2.6b budget to deliver legacy benefits of the ‘housing, sporting infrastructure and tourism’ benefits through other policies, as well as focusing on providing more housing to regional communities, through a $1b Regional Housing Fund which will deliver more than 1300 new homes to the areas of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Gippsland.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said the benefits of hosting the event far were far outweighed by the increased costs and she listed a number of programs and infrastructure projects which the allocated funds would be used for.

'Each one of those sporting infrastructure facilities will be going ahead and we will be wanting to push on and complete those projects with those local communities following consultation with them,' she said.

Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing added that the projects will provide more jobs for people who live in the listed regional hubs, and focus on how to revitalise the tourism economy in the wake of cancelled events.

'We also want to make sure that community and sporting facilities are given the attention and the focus that they deserve', Ms Shing said.

Members, this news is certainly shocking, but we are keen to read your thoughts on it. While there’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games would have been a great success, it is hard to argue with a cost of $7b which could have been put towards better things.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember, be kind and respect each others’ opinions.

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a major cost blow-out estimation by the government.

View attachment 25359

Queensland was the last Australian state to hold a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. So where will the 2026 Commonwealth Games now be held? Image source: Shutterstock.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, July 18, the Premier was resolute in his decision not to proceed with hosting the 12-day event, due to the significant increase in funding from the original budgeted $2.6b to $7b.

'I’m not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event. It’s about: Do you deliver it at any cost or not? And the answer is we’re not,' Mr Andrews said.

He added that his government had considered 'every conceivable option' and had finalised the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Monday (17 July)—before any major contracts had been signed.

The Victorian Premier also stated the government was not ready to release exactly what the cost of abandoning the Games would be but confirmed they would be 'fully accounted for' at some point in the future, and 'very little costs had been incurred to this point.'

'I’m not going to negotiate with the Commonwealth Games authorities via the media in Melbourne, when I’ve got a team of people doing exactly that in London', he said.

In lieu of the Games, Mr Andrews then announced the government would instead use the $2.6b budget to deliver legacy benefits of the ‘housing, sporting infrastructure and tourism’ benefits through other policies, as well as focusing on providing more housing to regional communities, through a $1b Regional Housing Fund which will deliver more than 1300 new homes to the areas of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Gippsland.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said the benefits of hosting the event far were far outweighed by the increased costs and she listed a number of programs and infrastructure projects which the allocated funds would be used for.

'Each one of those sporting infrastructure facilities will be going ahead and we will be wanting to push on and complete those projects with those local communities following consultation with them,' she said.

Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing added that the projects will provide more jobs for people who live in the listed regional hubs, and focus on how to revitalise the tourism economy in the wake of cancelled events.

'We also want to make sure that community and sporting facilities are given the attention and the focus that they deserve', Ms Shing said.

Members, this news is certainly shocking, but we are keen to read your thoughts on it. While there’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games would have been a great success, it is hard to argue with a cost of $7b which could have been put towards better things.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember, be kind and respect each others’ opinions.

About time governments used commonsense regarding the spending of our taxes for projects that are for the people of Victoria.

 

[freedy50]

If Victoria has bailed on the c/wealth games, what is plan B?
Isn't it too short a notice for another city to ramp up for 2026?
Will the games now be deferred or cancelled in 2026?
Anyone know the answers?

South Africa was supposed to host the 2022 games, but pulled out because of financial constraints. It ended up in Birmingham in England. However, they had 5 years notice. This is now only 3 years and if no other country comes forward then there wont be any games.

 

[TD]

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a major cost blow-out estimation by the government.

View attachment 25359

Queensland was the last Australian state to hold a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. So where will the 2026 Commonwealth Games now be held? Image source: Shutterstock.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, July 18, the Premier was resolute in his decision not to proceed with hosting the 12-day event, due to the significant increase in funding from the original budgeted $2.6b to $7b.

'I’m not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event. It’s about: Do you deliver it at any cost or not? And the answer is we’re not,' Mr Andrews said.

He added that his government had considered 'every conceivable option' and had finalised the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Monday (17 July)—before any major contracts had been signed.

The Victorian Premier also stated the government was not ready to release exactly what the cost of abandoning the Games would be but confirmed they would be 'fully accounted for' at some point in the future, and 'very little costs had been incurred to this point.'

'I’m not going to negotiate with the Commonwealth Games authorities via the media in Melbourne, when I’ve got a team of people doing exactly that in London', he said.

In lieu of the Games, Mr Andrews then announced the government would instead use the $2.6b budget to deliver legacy benefits of the ‘housing, sporting infrastructure and tourism’ benefits through other policies, as well as focusing on providing more housing to regional communities, through a $1b Regional Housing Fund which will deliver more than 1300 new homes to the areas of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Gippsland.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said the benefits of hosting the event far were far outweighed by the increased costs and she listed a number of programs and infrastructure projects which the allocated funds would be used for.

'Each one of those sporting infrastructure facilities will be going ahead and we will be wanting to push on and complete those projects with those local communities following consultation with them,' she said.

Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing added that the projects will provide more jobs for people who live in the listed regional hubs, and focus on how to revitalise the tourism economy in the wake of cancelled events.

'We also want to make sure that community and sporting facilities are given the attention and the focus that they deserve', Ms Shing said.

Members, this news is certainly shocking, but we are keen to read your thoughts on it. While there’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games would have been a great success, it is hard to argue with a cost of $7b which could have been put towards better things.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember, be kind and respect each others’ opinions.

I’m actually disappointed with Dan Andrew’s decision. He’s humiliated Australia on the world stage, disappointed the Aussie Athletes who were going to perform in front of Australian crowds. The businesses that planned for the events that would bring a large number of tourists to Australia now & in the future: creating jobs & putting money back into Australia.

 

[Tamaya]

Well done to to The Victorian Premier.
7 million dollars is way to much , tourism would not bring this ammount back to the Government's purse.

Totally agree put it into housing and helping the people of Victoria.

Now Albo and our Premier of NSW ( keep forgetting who it is ) take notice.

Wished our Prime Minster had the balls to spend the money on Australian people ...his people who are hurting , rather than send money overseas .

Actually $7 billion, nonetheless you are absolutely right.

 

[elchapo]

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a major cost blow-out estimation by the government.

View attachment 25359

Queensland was the last Australian state to hold a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. So where will the 2026 Commonwealth Games now be held? Image source: Shutterstock.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, July 18, the Premier was resolute in his decision not to proceed with hosting the 12-day event, due to the significant increase in funding from the original budgeted $2.6b to $7b.

'I’m not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event. It’s about: Do you deliver it at any cost or not? And the answer is we’re not,' Mr Andrews said.

He added that his government had considered 'every conceivable option' and had finalised the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Monday (17 July)—before any major contracts had been signed.

The Victorian Premier also stated the government was not ready to release exactly what the cost of abandoning the Games would be but confirmed they would be 'fully accounted for' at some point in the future, and 'very little costs had been incurred to this point.'

'I’m not going to negotiate with the Commonwealth Games authorities via the media in Melbourne, when I’ve got a team of people doing exactly that in London', he said.

In lieu of the Games, Mr Andrews then announced the government would instead use the $2.6b budget to deliver legacy benefits of the ‘housing, sporting infrastructure and tourism’ benefits through other policies, as well as focusing on providing more housing to regional communities, through a $1b Regional Housing Fund which will deliver more than 1300 new homes to the areas of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Gippsland.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said the benefits of hosting the event far were far outweighed by the increased costs and she listed a number of programs and infrastructure projects which the allocated funds would be used for.

'Each one of those sporting infrastructure facilities will be going ahead and we will be wanting to push on and complete those projects with those local communities following consultation with them,' she said.

Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing added that the projects will provide more jobs for people who live in the listed regional hubs, and focus on how to revitalise the tourism economy in the wake of cancelled events.

'We also want to make sure that community and sporting facilities are given the attention and the focus that they deserve', Ms Shing said.

Members, this news is certainly shocking, but we are keen to read your thoughts on it. While there’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games would have been a great success, it is hard to argue with a cost of $7b which could have been put towards better things.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember, be kind and respect each others’ opinions.

No one should be surprised at what Danny Boy can come up with.
No elections in sight? No worries!
At least, this time, he couldn't blame George Pell for his loony, embarrassing brain snap.

 

[Tamaya]

There is also something else apart from the cost of building the Commonwealth Games Village ($7 billion) - how about maintenance and use of it after the event is over? Will the village be kept as is or reconstructed for something else? Additional costs? Oh dear Therefore I could agree with the Victorian Premier's decision not to host those games in such difficult times.

NOW: Why not distribute the games into various (capital or major) cities? The Commonwealth Games could still come but to Australia and sports will be divided, each city would not need to spend so much Iin building a village. Jobs and tourism would benefit and throughout our beloved Aussie country !

 

[Kelpie]

wish the Queensland premier would take notice and do the same for the one she is hell bent on having. It's a waste of money that is better spent on more deserving things around the state - homes for those who need it, hospitals etc. Never mind spending a fortune on some two week expensive BS that most people don't want!!

Couldn't have put it in a better way even if I tried..
She is looking for glory at any costs and she is going to be the one running it while self promoting herself. That's all.
EGO at the greatest level.

 

[CristinaV]

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a major cost blow-out estimation by the government.

View attachment 25359

Queensland was the last Australian state to hold a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. So where will the 2026 Commonwealth Games now be held? Image source: Shutterstock.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, July 18, the Premier was resolute in his decision not to proceed with hosting the 12-day event, due to the significant increase in funding from the original budgeted $2.6b to $7b.

'I’m not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event. It’s about: Do you deliver it at any cost or not? And the answer is we’re not,' Mr Andrews said.

He added that his government had considered 'every conceivable option' and had finalised the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Monday (17 July)—before any major contracts had been signed.

The Victorian Premier also stated the government was not ready to release exactly what the cost of abandoning the Games would be but confirmed they would be 'fully accounted for' at some point in the future, and 'very little costs had been incurred to this point.'

'I’m not going to negotiate with the Commonwealth Games authorities via the media in Melbourne, when I’ve got a team of people doing exactly that in London', he said.

In lieu of the Games, Mr Andrews then announced the government would instead use the $2.6b budget to deliver legacy benefits of the ‘housing, sporting infrastructure and tourism’ benefits through other policies, as well as focusing on providing more housing to regional communities, through a $1b Regional Housing Fund which will deliver more than 1300 new homes to the areas of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Gippsland.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said the benefits of hosting the event far were far outweighed by the increased costs and she listed a number of programs and infrastructure projects which the allocated funds would be used for.

'Each one of those sporting infrastructure facilities will be going ahead and we will be wanting to push on and complete those projects with those local communities following consultation with them,' she said.

Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing added that the projects will provide more jobs for people who live in the listed regional hubs, and focus on how to revitalise the tourism economy in the wake of cancelled events.

'We also want to make sure that community and sporting facilities are given the attention and the focus that they deserve', Ms Shing said.

Members, this news is certainly shocking, but we are keen to read your thoughts on it. While there’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games would have been a great success, it is hard to argue with a cost of $7b which could have been put towards better things.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember, be kind and respect each others’ opinions.

Where's the proof that $@b were put aside? The state is broke. AND if they have that money, then they should use it to fix the damn state.

 

[Pink lion]

All the wasted surveys and meetings inexpensive restaurants oh my, still, they will not waste money like that ever again ha ha ha

It's a bit like laughing because another ships captain fell asleep.

They do their best. it's a shame though as so many issues could be resolved in our great country, if only a few people on computers in a room weren't the main think tank running things.

If only we were a democratic country, then what people want and how best to achieve it, would occur without many years of delay.

Still now there's a bit of money to either refurbish government offices, get shiny new cars or to possibly help the homeless.

Time will tell which area gets the funding.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Actually $7 billion, nonetheless you are absolutely right.

I know !! I watched the news tonight and heard six to seven Billion, that is unbelievable

 

[Suzanne rose]

They announced tonight no other state or country wants to host the games.
They also said the last Games were probably the last.

It's not the Olympic Games so it won't bring in that much money or tourist and usually the ones who host it lose alot of money .

 

[Abby2]

The real question is why has the cost increased from $2b to at least $7b? What mismanagement has occurred? If a supermarket had an item which was normally $20, and suddenly the store decided to charge $70 for the same thing, there would be an outcry. (That’s the same percentage increase BTW.)

You have a point there

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

"Did we waste $2Billion?"
"Whaddya mean 'WE', Paleface?"

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

What will now happen to the Olympic Games in Brisbane?.
Surely the premier of Qld will not give this one away ! There is no money to run the hospitals , ambulance ramping is really out of control and patients are left to die . This is going on for years now . A lot of pregnant women can not deliver their babies in the hospitals in their area , a total disgrace .
Then there are no houses for renting , a lot of people live in cars or tents in local parks.
The crime , in particular youth crime is like it is the new norm . Nothing been done . People live in fear.
The premier is traveling to functions like to Fraser Island and having a good time , by the way , Fraser Island is now called K’Gary and given back to the aboriginal people .
So , if there no money left , she will lease a few more beautiful coral islands to China and they make it very hard for the current people to stay there .
Now the Gabba stadium is being renovated , but there was nothing wrong with it. But not good enough for the Olympic Games . A lot of luxury appartments with top notch restaurants , cafes and shops are being build in the city , all to show off , so future tourists will spend their precious $$$$$$$$ here . They should have learnt from the Commonwealth Games in 2018 at the Gold Coast, they did not make a profit , a lot of shop owners were angry , as roads were closed of where their shops were situated . This all big development is all for two weeks only. She has the priorities wrong.

 

[Joydie]

Don't believe a word Comrade Dan is saying about cost being the reason for the cancellation of the Games. If you want to know the real reason for the cancellation, the clue's in the name. Commonwealth! The federal government has refused to stump up the $1b it had apparently agreed to contribute. Now that we have a Labor government in federal parliament and Labor in power in every state but Victoria, Albanese has carte blanche to promote his pathological desire to get rid of the monarchy and make Australia a republic.

Regardless of whether or not people want us to become a republic - and a referendum in 1999 voted against it - using this situation to stick it to the Royal Family and the Commonwealth of Nations is beneath contempt. Athletes who've set their sights and training schedules on these games have been totally disrespected and cast aside like a bag of old clothes.

To those saying Dan has made a sensible decision to save money, you need to do more research. Dan's very own staff were the ones who did the original costings. If they've stuffed up the job to that extent, why doesn't he sack them? The reason he won't take any action is that he's lying. It's not just me saying that. People who know a lot more about Victorian finances are saying the same. The Manchester Commonwealth Games cost $1.8b. Is Victoria so hopeless that they have to spend four times that?

Let's double the original estimate of $2.6b. That's $5.2b. If the games were to go ahead, the Victorian economy would reap back that and more. The regions, where a financial boost is needed, were to host most of the events. They're now left high and dry. Still, Dan's going to be okay, he's in Melbourne away from all that.

And Seniors Discount Club, I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt as regards the second paragraph of your article. You quote Comrade Dan as saying: 'I'm not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver an event.' The most important word has been left out. What he actually said was: 'I'm not here to apologise for not spending $7b to deliver A SPORTING event.'

 

[player]

Finally a politician that isn't afraid to decide to cancel an event because of the cost to the tax payer

J’

 

[Joydie]

Well done to to The Victorian Premier.
7 million dollars is way to much , tourism would not bring this ammount back to the Government's purse.

Totally agree put it into housing and helping the people of Victoria.

Now Albo and our Premier of NSW ( keep forgetting who it is ) take notice.

Wished our Prime Minster had the balls to spend the money on Australian people ...his people who are hurting , rather than send money overseas .

It's seven billion dollars, not million. And he's lying through his teeth.

 

[Gsr]

Finally a politician that isn't afraid to decide to cancel an event because of the cost to the tax payer

Totally agree, it is time all our so called politicians started putting the Australian people before they waste huge amounts of tax payers money trying to impress the rest of the world.

 

[Evol P]

Good on him for that.
Unfortunately you are "the devil if you do, or the devil if you don't".
If Vic hosted the Com Games people would slam him for wasting money and not spending on homelessness, education, housing etc., etc.
If Vic didn't host the Com Games he would be (is) slammed for not going ahead and not spending on sport, young people etc., etc.
Can't win!
If gov were my household budget and I can't afford luxuries, I would cut back to spend on necessities - buuuut I know that Com Games also generates money. I'm glad I'm not in charge!!

 

[Colette 3799]

So why did they put their hand up to host them in the first place? What a schmozzle!

Maybe the original cost was doable. The cost has blown out way too much. Can you imagine what the opposition would have said if he had carried on with the project. Damned if he does, damned if he don’t. I think he’s done the right thing, Victoria needs much more than an overpriced sporting event