Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Commonwealth Games

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (15:05): My question is to the Deputy Premier. When did the government first become aware that it would have to cancel the Commonwealth Games?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (15:06): The Premier went to this question at the press conference a fortnight ago. The Premier was very clear that cabinet resolved the decision on the Monday. In terms of the time difference between Melbourne and London, there was a meeting with Commonwealth Games officials overnight our time Monday night.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Berwick can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Berwick withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: The Premier and I and Minister Shing had a press conference early Tuesday morning to advise of the decision that when it came to the key reason why we agreed to host the games in the first place, it was that ongoing investment in housing.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was not when the cabinet decision was made. The question was when did the government first become aware.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The Deputy Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I was referring to the $2 billion investment that we are making for regional communities in those key priority areas, which were the key priority areas –

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the Premier – drawing on the fact that the Deputy Premier has referred to the Premier’s comments in the media – told the media that he had a sense that it was going to cost more. The question is not when cabinet made the decision. The question is when did the government first become aware that they would have to be cancelled. The very comments that the Deputy Premier is talking about from the Premier make it clear that the government knew well before the cabinet decision that they would have to be cancelled.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I cannot direct the Deputy Premier how to answer the question. She was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: Despite the previous bipartisan support for the legacy benefits for regional Victoria, the opposition are not interested in hearing about the legacy benefits across housing, community sporting infrastructure and the tourism and major events sector in regional Victoria, which we are going to continue to invest in through our $2 billion package.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (15:08): Does the Deputy Premier share the concerns of the former chair of the Australian Sports Commission that the decision to cancel the Commonwealth Games has irreparably damaged Victoria’s reputation on the world stage?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (15:09): I just remind the house that the Leader of the Opposition has supported the government’s decision to not proceed with a 12-day sporting event at a cost of more than $6 billion. There is bipartisan support for the position that the government has taken on this matter. The Leader of the Opposition himself has said that they support the decision that has been taken.

In terms of Victoria’s performance as a major events capital, last night was an outstanding example of this state’s and this city’s major events record. This has been built on decades of investment by Labor governments –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will come to order! The Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Assistant Treasurer and members at the table will come to order.

Jacinta ALLAN: decades of investment by Labor governments in our major sporting infrastructure, our events program, and that will continue long after you are gone, Leader of the Opposition.