Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Commonwealth Games

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (15:22): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Will the government apologise to the athletes for shattering their dreams to compete on home soil as a result of the decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

Danny Pearson interjected.

The SPEAKER: The Assistant Treasurer will come to order.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (15:22): As I have indicated already a couple of times to the house today, the government was faced with a choice, and the choice became very clear: a choice between a $6 billion investment in a 12-day sporting event became too much, particularly when that is more than double –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Lowan! Come to order, Deputy Premier. Through the Chair.

Jacinta ALLAN: That $6 billion was more than double the cost for half the estimated –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Extremely disappointing.

Sam Groth: On a point of order, Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition asked a specific question around an apology to the athletes. There is no greater honour for an Australian athlete than to pull on –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Police can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Minister for Police withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: Member for Nepean, there is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: As I was saying, $6 billion for a 12-day sporting event became too much. That is why, for those athletes across regional Victoria, we have held on to those legacy reasons. The bipartisan reasons why we wanted to have the games in the first place were to invest in those key areas of housing, tourism and events, and also important community sporting infrastructure and community sporting programs. These are going to be particularly important with the new $40 million all-abilities sport fund that is going to help people with a disability be able to participate in local community sport. From the reaction of those opposite, it is really clear that it is all about them and their little noise over there.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Malvern can leave the chamber for half an hour. Question time is clearly not good for your health.

Member for Malvern withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, under standing order 58 the Deputy Premier is required to be direct. The question asked whether the Deputy Premier would provide an apology to athletes. It is an important question. If the Deputy Premier chooses not to apologise, she can say that and sit down.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for South Barwon can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for South Barwon withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I recall I was referring to the investments that we are making in community sport, particularly around regional Victoria. I can appreciate – because I have spoken to them over many months, as indeed all of us have as we connect into our local communities – there are some people who are disappointed with this decision. But the decision before government became very clear about the choice between $6 billion for a 12-day sporting event as opposed to the key reason why we wanted to invest in the games in the first place, which was to support the ongoing legacy benefits for regional Victoria. What I would say to those athletes is beware the Leader of the Opposition who speaks with a forked tongue. He agrees with this decision. He supports this decision, and anything he says to any athlete is completely deceptive.

David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the Deputy Premier was asked if she would apologise to athletes. I think she should at least do that. Victorians deserve an apology. Will you apologise, Deputy Premier, yes or no?

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Deputy Premier has concluded her answer.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (15:28): Will the Deputy Premier take ministerial responsibility for the Commonwealth Games scandal and resign?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition asked a question. I am going to allow it because it is relating to the Commonwealth Games, but it was completely separate to your first question.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (15:29): Firstly, let us be clear, as I have said on a number of occasions today and as has been said often in the last two weeks, when the choice was presented to the government, $6 billion for a 12-day sporting event was just too much. The opportunity to invest in the legacy benefits for regional Victoria continue with our $2 billion regional package. I want to be clear for the Leader of the Opposition’s benefit: I am not in the business of cutting and running when things get difficult and challenging. You might be.

Also, Speaker, I remind the house that the Leader of the Opposition fully supports this and would do the same. He has already stated very clearly that he fully supports the decision of the government to make this decision.