‘No time to waste’: Tate makes formal pitch to feds for Comm Games

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has formally written to the federal Sports Minister Annika Wells outlining how the Glitter Strip can save the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has formally pleaded the Glitter Strip’s case to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games, telling federal Sports Minister Anika Wells in a letter that “where there’s a will, there’s way”.

Cr Tate wrote to Ms Wells this week, doubling down on his bold plan to salvage the Games after Victorian Premier Dan Andrews sensationally dumped the event claiming multi-billion dollar cost blowouts.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ruled out Queensland stepping in to host the Games, saying the state is “100 per cent focused” on preparing for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate with 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi

But Cr Tate, whose city hosted the successful 2018 Commonwealth Games and believes the Coast can host the 2026 iteration for as little as $1 billion, is not giving up hope and has told Ms Wells “there is no time to waste” and he will have a “thorough preliminary proposal” to her by August 31.

“Where there is a will, there is a way and with the Gold Coast being such a recent host of the Commonwealth Games (so recent that the same Mayor and Premier remain in place), I have no doubt that the Games can be delivered again on the Gold Coast in 2026,” he told Ms Wells in the letter.

The opening ceremony for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast

Cr Tate told Ms Wells he was “deeply concerned” for Australia’s international reputation and its athletes who would miss out on the chance to compete in a home Games with the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon.

“Given the infrastructure already in place on the Gold Coast, and our demonstrated competence in Games delivery, it seemed an obvious solution for the Games to be relocated to the Gold Coast for a range of compelling reasons,” he wrote.

Cr Tate said the Gold Coast could not underwrite the Games and federal support was needed as was the case in 2018 and in 2006 when Melbourne hosted the event.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Women in Sport Summit on the Gold Coast last month

“It would seem appropriate … for the Federal Government to redivert funds intended to be committed to the Victorian Games,” he wrote.

Cr Tate told The Courier-Mail he’d been told the Victorian Government was staring down a potential bill of $973 million for breaching its contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“My offer will go a long way towards the CGF reconsidering their legal recourse for contract breach,” he said.

“Ask any state or federal taxpayer: would they prefer to see half of this money spent on hosting a successful 2026 Games, or lost in legal recourse for Dan Andrews’ decision to walk away.

Swimmer Cate Campbell with the Queen’s Baton at Surfers Paradise ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

“All I am asking is that the funding the Federal Government intended to provide to Victoria, to be redirected here, and for a decision to be made ASAP so the CGF possibly reconsiders its pursuit of legal action against the Victorian Government for a contract breach.

“It would only take us three weeks to do a business proposal and confirm the logistics needed to host a 2026 Games.

“What is needed right now is political support from the Feds so we can get on with that business case.

“The decision by Premier Andrews has damaged the Games’ brand, Victoria’s brand and our nation’s reputation as a wealthy sporting destination.

“Common sense would see all parties accept the position of the Gold Coast. That is, let us host the games in 2026, along with other SEQ cities, and we will manage it with our existing facilities. Ultimately, it is a direct transfer of funds from the Federal regional funding bucket, to us.’’

Originally published as ‘No time to waste’: Tate makes formal pitch to feds for Comm Games