Local Nationals MP, Tim Bull says the cancelling of the Commonwealth Games was disappointing for Gippslanders and was an opportunity missed to promote the region.

Gippsland was hosting events including rugby sevens, T20 cricket, badminton and road cycling that would have showcased the wider region to millions of people worldwide and attracted thousands of visitors.

Mr Bull said it was just 28 days ago Labor Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, stated “I am looking forward to continuing the engagements with local councils, with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), with community sporting facilities and with everybody who is working so hard to develop the momentum that will really enable these games to shine”.

“We deserve a better explanation from Ms Shing in relation to how it all got to this, especially given the comments of respected Games CEO, Craig Phillips AM.

Mr Phillips made the following comments earlier this week and posed a number of queries the State Government needs to answer:

“It is a comprehensive let down for the athletes and the excited host communities.

“The multi-city model for delivering Victoria 2026 was an approach proposed by the Victorian Government. It was pitched to the Commonwealth Games Federation after Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA). 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. The stated costs overrun, in our opinion, are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.

“Beyond this, the Victorian Government wilfully ignored recommendations to move events to purpose-built stadia in Melbourne and in fact remained wedded to proceeding with expensive temporary venues in regional Victoria. CGA would welcome the opportunity to review the financial analysis prepared independently of those who have been involved at the coal face of planning and delivery.”

Mr Bull said given it has been widely reported the cost of the Birmingham Games in 2022 was $1.5 billion, alongside $2 billion for the Gold Coast Games and $1 billion for the Glasgow Games, the questions posed by Mr Phillips are pertinent and those costings referred to by the Premier and Ms Shing should be released.

In addition, many are also asking what it will cost the state to ‘get out’. Former Queensland Labor Premier Peter Beattie, who chaired the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast, has warned the contract will be ‘tough’ for Victoria to get out of, saying "You have to remember that the Commonwealth Games Federation does this on a regular basis with a tight contract and the contract will be difficult to get out of.”

“I have grave concerns the State Government will follow through with the package it has announced given they have scrapped the airport link and fast rail services committed before the election and the electric vehicle manufacturing plant promised for the Valley fell flat.

“I hope Ms Shing is as forthcoming with the answers to Mr Phillips’ questions,” he said.

Thursday, 20 July 2023