Bureaucrat Jeroen Weimar named Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee

Former Covid commander Jeroen Weimar has been appointed to a government role in a move that’s been criticised as “jobs for the boys”.

Former Covid commander Jeroen Weimar has officially been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

The Herald Sun in April exclusively revealed that Mr Weimar, an experienced bureaucrat, would be recruited to the senior job.

Mr Weimar, in his role on the organising committee, will lead the delivery of the Games, and manage venues and services, logistics, partnerships and engagement, as well as media, broadcasting and communications.

Jeroen Weimar will lead the delivery of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Committee will work alongside the Office of the Commonwealth Games to liaise with stakeholders including regional councils, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia.

Opposition sports spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said the Andrews government had “serious questions to answer” regarding Mr Weimar’s new role.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Mr Pakula “must now come clean” as to whether a professional recruitment process was undertaken, Ms McLeish said.

“Daniel Andrews and his Labor Government have a track record of handing senior roles to their mates,” she said.

“This newest appointment smells a lot like ‘jobs for the boys’ with no transparency or accountability.”

Mr Weimar served as the operational leader of the state’s Covid-19 response from July 2020 to April 2022. Picture: David Crosling

Four regional hubs will be established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with their own athlete’s village and sport program.

Mr Weimar said he is “excited to lead a team that will work hand in glove” with local communities to deliver Victoria 2026.

Mr Weimar most recently served as the operational leader of the state’s Covid-19 response from July 2020 to April 2022.

He was previously Head of Transport Services at the Department of Transport and Chief Executive Officer of VicRoads, as well as the former CEO of Public Transport Victoria.

Weimar also held senior roles in the United Kingdom before arriving in Australia, including Chief Operating Officer of the UK Bus division of First Group and Chief Operating Officer of Transport for London in the lead up to London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said: “Jeroen has significant experience in senior public and private sector roles and will bring important skills to ensure the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games proudly showcases our state to the world.”

Originally published as Bureaucrat Jeroen Weimar named Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee