Commonwealth Games’ organising committee had only been operational for 12 months

Job losses are guaranteed after the Commonwealth Games cancellation but boss Jeroen Weimar and other organising committee members could be in line for new public sector roles.

Jeroen Weimar was paid $620,000 a year for his Commonwealth Games job. Picture: Alan Barber

After standing alongside the Premier to announce it was over before it had even begun, outgoing Commonwealth Games boss Jeroen Weimar headed to Geelong to start disbanding his team.

The Games’ organising committee, chaired by former Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, had only been operational for just over 12 months.

In June last year, Mr Weimar, a senior bureaucrat who became known as one of the faces of Victoria’s Covid-19 response, was appointed Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games CEO with a salary of up to $620,000 a year.

Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games organising committee chief executive Jeroen Weimar. Picture: Getty

Peggy O'Neal was chair of the Games’ organising committee. Picture: Getty

His team of about 100 was responsible for leading the delivery of the event – from managing venues and services to broader logistics, partnerships, engagement and media, broadcasting and communications.

It was in the past few months that authorities became concerned about the soaring costs.

Job losses are guaranteed – but some on the organising committee will be redirected into other roles within the public sector.

The government on Tuesday night would not say how much Mr Weimar will be paid out.

Insiders say he is well liked, pointing to the fact that he was brought along to front the media to announce the cancellation.