Commonwealth Games 2026: Daniel Andrews, Jacinta Allan won’t reveal key cancellation dates

Jacinta Allan says all details of Victoria’s Commonwealth Games bill have been laid bare, but refused to say when the government knew the business case for hosting the Games didn’t stack up.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan says she’s unaware of what the extra costs of landing the $380m settlement with Commonwealth Games officials were, arguing that all of the relevant details have been laid bare.

It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews refused to reveal when he first knew he would have to cancel the Games – a decision which cost the state up to $600m in taxpayers’ money.

Ms Allan on Monday was asked a series of questions about the hidden costs of cancelling the Games, including how much the government spent on flying lawyers to London for negotiations.

The Deputy Premier, who said she was “not the holder of that information”, argued that details of the negotiations with officials had been provided.

“The details or the information about the negotiations have been made public, and premiers and treasurer have addressed press conferences over the weekend,” she said.

Ms Allan was also asked whether an additional fee had been paid to keep the details of the settlement private.

But she denied the confidentiality clause came at an extra cost to taxpayers, calling it “standard practice”.

Deputy Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan being grilled about the Commonwealth Games cancelation. Picture: David Caird

“Those agreements between parties are pretty much standard practice when you get to the end of the negotiated settlement,” she said.

Ms Allan refused to be drawn on when the government knew the Comm Games business case didn’t stack up, maintaining that the final decision was made in the 24 hours before the event was sensationally scrapped.

Ms Allan was asked more than 10 questions about when the government first understood the 2026 event was no longer viable.

But the Deputy Premier refused to budge, saying the government only became fully aware the day before the Premier’s announcement.

“In the weeks leading up to the announcement, we were getting the information in from various sources,” Ms Allan said.

“Over that period of weeks we were getting the actuals.”

“And as those numbers were full firming up over that period of weeks, and those numbers came and started to look like being a $6 to $7bn cost for that 12-day sporting event. That’s when the decision was made. The final decision was made on the Monday.”

Mr Andrews has refused to detail key dates of when he was made aware of ballooning costs which ultimately led to the axing of the 2026 Games. Picture: Tony Gough

A day after declaring the government had reached a “best outcome” $380m settlement with the Games organisers, Mr Andrews on Sunday repeatedly refused to detail key dates of when he was made aware of ballooning costs which ultimately led to the axing of the 2026 Games.

“I don’t have my diary on me to check exactly when I knew,” Mr Andrews told media on Sunday.

“The decision was weeks in the making after I was made aware of the cost blowouts.”

Despite heavy questioning, Mr Andrews was unable to even confirm what month he first knew of the updated costings.

However, Mr Andrews did confirm he made the decision to cancel the regional games the night before he made the shock announcement.

“To avoid cancelling the games we looked at a number of solutions including holding it here in the city.”

These options were all considered to be “all costs and no benefit” by the government.

“When we made the decision, we announced it the day after.

The announcement came as a surprise to Commonwealth Games officials, said Craig Phillips, Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive.

Commonwealth Games Australia boss Craig Phillips slammed the Andrews government over move to scrap the Games. Picture: Monique Harmer

“It came out of the blue, we were blindsided, most people would not like to be treated that way,” Phillips said following the July 18 announcement.

“We have a number of $6-7bn which we know is exaggerated, so once we get the opportunity we’ll have a sensible conversation with those who might have the opportunity to host,” Mr Phillips said.

Mr Andrews said on Sunday there had been recognition from both parties of the extreme cost blow out as part of the government’s negotiation of the $380m settlement.

“If it’s all cost and no benefit, then you have to make the decision that we’ve made,” said Mr Andrews.

“In the settlement there is a recognition by both parties of this.

Premier Andrews repeated Saturday’s declaration that this settlement was “the best outcome for Victorians”.

“We’re not off to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland for five years.

“The settlement is coming from money already put aside from the original $3bn forecasted for the games.

“This is the best outcome Victoria could get.”