Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Commonwealth Games

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (15:10): Two weeks on from the Andrews government’s humiliating decision to cancel the Commonwealth Games, Victorians are still no closer to understanding why this has happened, the extent of it, the costs that there will be for Victorians and a whole range of other issues that the Andrews government have refused to provide answers for for so many Victorians, especially those in our regions. What has been particularly concerning are the comments made by those that were negotiating prior to the cancellation of the games, in terms of those people that have been involved.

Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips was absolutely dismayed at and despairing about the government’s cancellation. He has really blown the whistle on the budgetary implications. He said in a statement:

They did not step in as hosts at the last minute, as indicated by the Premier earlier today.

The detailed budgetary implications announced today have not been sighted or discussed with the CGF or CGA ahead of being notified of the … decision.

When the decision was made by the government, none of these bodies were informed – how insulting, how arrogant and how extraordinary. We had comments from John Wylie, the former Australian Sports Commission boss, who said the decision to cancel the contract had done irreparable damage to Victoria’s reputation. The cancellation of the games has so many implications that will have ramifications for this state for years to come.