Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told a parliamentary hearing “tremendous progress” was being made to host the Commonwealth Games months after receiving advice that the cost would blow out by billions of dollars, an inquiry has been told.

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions secretary Tim Ada said Ms Allan, then the minister responsible for delivering the 2026 Games, was warned in early March the cost would nearly double from the budgeted $2.6 billion due to the government’s regional model.