Daniel Andrews accused of trying to trash Commonwealth Games brand

Australia’s Commonwealth Games body has accused Daniel Andrews of trying to “trash” its brand for his own political benefit after Victoria’s bungled bid to host the 2026 event.

Commonwealth Games Australia has accused Daniel Andrews of trying to “trash the brand with the Australian public” for political benefit after tearing up a contract to host the 2026 event.

The sporting body’s annual report was released this week, and shows that almost $32m of the $380m Victorian taxpayers forked out to kill off the 2026 contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation went to CGA to help its athletes who will now compete overseas.

Chief executive of CGA, Craig Phillips, does not hold back in describing the past year as “unlike any we have experienced” and took aim at former premier, Daniel Andrews.

“The decision of the Andrews-Allan Government to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Games placed immense pressure on the Commonwealth Sport Movement brand,” he says.

“At times it even seemed that, for his own political expediency, then Premier Andrews, was attempting to trash the brand with the Australian public.

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips described 2023 as “unlike any we have experienced”. Picture: Aaron Francis

“CGA is steadfast in its view that the Commonwealth Games and, in particular, our Team remains much loved and respected by Australians.”

In the report CGA president Ben Houston says the “decision shocked the nation and called into question Australia’s integrity to host world class events”.

“The costs of cancelling the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games are enormous. In addition to the reputational damage caused, the Government was also required to pay a settlement amount of $380 million.”

Former premier Daniel Andrews signed up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across five regional Victorian cities, announcing details of the plan in the lead-up to the 2022 state election.

But in July, 2023, he stunned the world by dumping the deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation, saying the event’s initial $2.6bn budget had blown out to $6-7 billion.

Daniel Andrews backed away from hosting the games, blaming a blown budget. Picture: Tony Gough

An analysis by the Victorian Auditor-General, Andrew Greaves, says that figure was overstated and overall costs were on track to hit $4.9bn.

Mr Greaves found the cancelled event had cost Victoria $589m, including the $380m in settlement fees and $150m spent so far on organisers’ wages and operating costs.

The CGA annual report lists $31.88m as “revenue from contracts” in its financial statements, which is effectively its share of the CGF settlement coughed up by Victoria.

This money is set to be spent on preparations for the 2026 event, which is likely to be held overseas.
A desperate search for a host nation has come up short so far, however, with a recent push for Malaysia to take over rejected by that country’s government, which cited concerns about costs.

Some UK politicians had urged the 2022 host, Birmingham, to welcome athletes again in 2026, but this was deemed unlikely due to former athlete villages already being converted to permanent housing.