How Jeroen Weimar scored big exit payout after axed Commonwealth Games

In a move Opposition leader John Pesutto has labelled dodgy, Commonwealth Games boss Jeroen Weimar scored a generous exit payout after the event was axed — before landing a new role.

In a move Opposition leader John Pesutto has labelled dodgy, Commonwealth Games boss Jeroen Weimar scored a generous exit payout after the event was axed just months before he landing a new $500,000 government job.

Mr Pesutto on Tuesday said Premier Jacinta Allan had “looked after her favourite”, and Victorians struggling with cost of living pressures would be outraged.

The Allan government on Monday could not reveal the exact details of Mr Weimar’s exit package, believed to be about $160,000, but said it was in line with standard termination deals for executive-level bureaucrats.

Mr Weimar, who earned more than $500,000 a year as the chief executive of the Victoria 2026 organising committee, was one of a number of staff members to secure a termination package according to evidence before the Victorian parliamentary inquiry probing the cancelled event.

He formally ceased employment with Victoria 2026 on October 31, more than three months after the event was scrapped.

It is understood he stood to collect at least four months’ salary as part of his contractual obligations.

Mr Weimar earned more than $500,000 a year as the chief executive of the Victoria 2026 organising committee. Picture: Jason Edwards

After months of speculation, evidence provided to the parliamentary inquiry this week by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions confirmed Mr Weimar’s exit payout.

“Following the cancellation of the Games, the department understands that Victoria 2026 paid Mr Weimar the termination entitlement provided under his executive employment contract with Victoria 2026,” it said.

Opposition leader John Pesutto said the story gets “dodgier and dodgier” with every new bit of information.

“The reason Jeroen Weimar has the role he has now is because Jacinta Allan looked after her favourite,” he said.

“This will outrage Victorians who are facing cost of living pressures. Here’s a person who was employed on over half a million dollars, gets a payout of $160,000, and then without any kind of interview process gets looked after by the Premier for another half a million dollar job.

“What kind of state is this, when the only way you can get a deal like this is to be a mate of the Premier, Jacinta Allan?”

But Ms Allan questioned the opposition’s tactics to continue attacking Mr Weimar.

“It is for others to explain why they are choosing to play the man, not the ball,” she said.

Ms Allan said Mr Weimar’s exit arrangements were subject to the frameworks of the independent remuneration tribunal, which determines the salaries and conditions for public servants.

Ms Allan said she’s sat in on one meeting with Mr Weimar since he was appointed to lead housing policy in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

“I have worked with Jeroen Weimar in a number of different roles for a number of years. He has bought his skills, intelligence and expertise to a range of complex and challenging roles,” she said.

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Sam Groth, demanded full transparency around the exit deal.

“Premier Jacinta Allan needs to come clean about how much Jeroen Weimar was paid after she cancelled the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “Given he was on a long-term contract to deliver the Games in 2026, this payout could have totalled millions of dollars.

“This whole debacle has cost Victorian taxpayers $600m and it seems the costs continue to mount in the form of secret payouts.

“Who else received payouts and how much have they also cost taxpayers?”

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Sam Groth is demanding full transparency around the exit deal. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

On Tuesday the parliamentary inquiry probing the cancelled event will hold a public hearing in Bendigo.

It will hear from local tourism and sporting representatives as well as City of Greater Bendigo chief Andrew Cooney and Shepparton council.

In total, taxpayers were slugged more than $11m to pay Victoria 2026 staff, not accounting for exit packages.

The 12-day event was cancelled on July 18 last year amid claims of a cost blowout from $2.6bn to almost $7bn.

Mr Weimar was later given a new six-month role to lead housing policy in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, a position that pays up to $533,000 a year.

Originally published as How Jeroen Weimar scored big exit payout after axed Commonwealth Games