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.

 

[Jaleah]

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.

Finally common sense prevails….let’s hope they do use it for what they have said they would especially housing

 

[kt4168]

This guy

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.

this guy is the master of spin, he can twist things around to make out that he has done all victorians a favour by cancelling the games, why not just tell us he has rubn out of money, his blank credit card has been exhausted, this change of mind will cost us millions, but who cares, people keep on voting for these red raggers, i just cdont get it

kevin thornton

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.

tttt

 

[Rob44]

good. well done Dan. Time to stop sports rorts

 

[KSS]

All those applauding Mr Andrews for this latest debacle, should not for one-second think that that same money will be spent on housing the homeless, fixing the health and education systems or even in building the infrastructure he says will still be built. If he is going to continue building the facilities the Commonwealth Games needed regardless why cancel the game? After all, the Games themselves attract tourists not just for 12 days of competition, but for months and years after. What is going to happen to all those small businesses who have been planning for the literally hundreds of thousands of tourists they will not now be welcoming?

This is not about a few athletes losing a chance to represent their country, it is far far greater than that whether sport is your thing or not. By all accounts in April this year, the Victorian Government was saying the cost of the games would be about $2.5 billion. The question should be, what changed in the last 4 months to blow out the costs by 150%?

 

[Retslaf]

Why was this not flagged earlier. Surely the cost doesn't suddenly jump from $2.6 to $7 billion. This puts the whole Commonwealth Games in a difficult situation because they only have 2-3 years for an alternative city to prepare for hosting the Games. That's not fair. It stinks of mismanagement and now he's trying to make himself look good. That's BS

 

[TonyV]

So you start off with saying "Surely Andrews should resign after this latest disaster". On the contrary, he ought to be applauded for this decision. Sounds like you think he should spend bewteen $2.5-$7bn on this 12 day sports event? All the bad things you've listed can now have that money spent on them instead.

Applauded for abandoning the contract that this appalling government firstly sought and then signed for? Also, the trashing of Victoria's and Australia's reputation to boot. To make to it worse if that's possible, Amdrew's lied about the notice given to the Commonwealth Games authority in London. He stated negotiations were be held in London but the next we hear is the Comm Games representative knew nothing about it! Andrews cannot be trusted on this matter or anything else with a shocking record of waste and corruption. The only this shameful politician should be applauded is when we see the back of him.

 

[Rob44]

Good on Dan Andrews; I fail to see why the taxpayer should fund sports-rorts for "important" administrators to gain second hand glory for the work of the very few sporting "heroes" and "heroines" getting their gold,silver and bronze medals in the transient limelight from which they later gain considerable incomes from advertising corporations selling us stuff that we don't need.