Victoria set to bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games

Scott Morrison has backed Victoria’s bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games while Premier Daniel Andrews says the potential cost is justified.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed Victoria’s bid for the Commonwealth Games, saying it would be an “excellent addition to an unprecedented schedule of major sporting events coming to Australia over the next decade”.

“This is an exciting next step for Victoria and particularly the regions,” the Prime Minister told the Herald Sun.

“Australia has a proud record of hosting Commonwealth Games and we have the know-how and expertise to put on a world-class show.”

“We’re going to be on the hunt for the next Anna Meares, John Steffenson, Liesel Jones or Michael Klim to inspire just like when the Games were last hosted in Victoria in 2006.”

The state government is yet to ask the federal government for any support for Victoria’s bid.

Premier Daniel Andrews says the potential costs of hosting the Games is justified, despite Victoria’s economy expected to plummet to about $200bn in debt.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Wednesay morning that the government had signed off on submission of a formal bid.

At a press conference with Major Events Minister Martin Pakula and Minister for Regional Development Maryanne Thomas, Mr Andrews revealed the state’s vision for a regional Commonwealth Games.

He said Victoria boasted what it took to host a successful event.

“We have all that is needed to make this a success ... a games like no other,” Mr Andrews said.

“Our vision is for this to be, predominantly, a regional event.

“Victoria is Australia’s sporting state, and, if awarded, the 2026 Commonwealth Games would demonstrate to the world a new way to deliver the competition.

“We would hope to have the majority of events in our regional cities — to display the best of Victoria, create jobs and housing and infrastructure that will deliver for the long term.”

Melbourne Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 2006.

But while the Premier said work was under way to understand the costs and benefits to the state, he said it would be a worthwhile “investment” post pandemic.

“You can take a very negative view of things or you can be optimistic and positive and you can back our state and, particularly, back regional Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.

“The offering is second to none ... I don’t see this as a cost, I see this as a profound investment in tourism, in jobs and in regional Victoria.

“That’s what all of this is about. That’s our vision. It’s not a re-run of any other games. It’s something unique and something that’s never been done before.”

Mr Andrews said it was his understanding that the federal government’s debt numbers were “in the order of one trillion dollars”.

“Is anybody seriously suggesting that they ought not have had JobKeeper, that they ought not have supported people, or that we should have done differently,” he questioned.

“Ultimately, this is a one in a 100 year event. And the only way out of these challenges is to do more.”

“The way that we create surpluses, the way that we help to fund infrastructure in the future, the way that we repair the budget over the time is to have the Victorian economy growing.

“Major events are a big part of that. Tourism and visitation is a big part of that. Capital works, building stuff, is a big part of that.

“We don’t cut things, that’s not what we do. We invest. Jobs have never been more important.”

Premier Daniel Andrews says the potential cost of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games is justified. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Andrews said the government had a vision to make the 2026 games different to any event that had already been held.

“It’s not just about taking this off the shelf, it’s not just about re-running what was done back in 2006 ... This will be our vision to be a regional Victorian event,” he said.

“It’s about taking this amazing competition across many different sports into regional cities and towns (to create) jobs, tourism, visitors, economic activity, but also amazing legacy benefits.

“We would want this as far and as wide not just in regional cities, but in country towns as well.

“There will be points of focus that we will talk to the Commonwealth Games Federation about, about villages, about opening ceremonies, about all of those sorts of things.

“Some regional communities are self-starters (as) they already have strengths, whether it’s basketball and netball in Bendigo … aquatics (down) Geelong way … (or) athletics at the upgraded Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

“Our starting point is very strong, but yes there would need to be further investments made, but that’s how I would see them, not as a cost but as an investment.

“That’s why regional Victoria is our focus because we think the biggest difference can be made there, a legacy will mean more there.”

The closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The Herald Sun revealed last month the state was set to launch the formal bid following an approach by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The government had been analysing how the event could tap into regional centres and what impact it would have on the economy.

It is understood a final economic analysis is being conducted before approving submission of a bid.

A KPMG analysis of Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games found they prompted an increase in Gross State Product of about $1.6bn over a 20-year period and employment of around 13,600 jobs.

Total expenditure to host the event was $2.9bn.

A 2030 Commonwealth Games task force established four years ago was fully behind their plan being brought forward.

A pre-feasibility study, funded jointly by the state government and regional councils, was completed prior to Covid at the start of 2020 and was due to be presented to the government.

Regional Cities Victoria, representing the state’s largest regional centres, said the Commonwealth Games would be a gold medal opportunity for the areas.

“Regional Victoria is ready to welcome the Commonwealth Games”, RCV Chair and Mayor of Shepparton, Cr Kim O’Keeffe, said.

“Our regions are great places to live, work, and play … and to host major events.

“The Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 was a great success. A Victorian Commonwealth Games in 2026, that is hosted across the state, would truly be an event to remember, and will show the world what Victoria has to offer.”

Lord Mayor Sally Capp is supporting the Commonwealth Games bid. Picture: Mark Stewart

SUPPORT ACROSS THE STATE

Deputy federal Labor leader Richard Marles, the Corio MP, said the state government’s pitch was a “welcome opportunity for Geelong”.

“We know that Geelong has the facilities to host world-class sport and events,” he said.

“For those of us lucky enough to call Geelong home, we would be opening our arms to some of the world’s best athletes and teams.”

“The Andrews government’s announcement to highlight regional Victoria proves their commitment to providing jobs, building infrastructure and creating the best opportunities for Geelong.”

“I have every confidence that Geelong will be up to the challenge of playing an integral role in the Victorian government’s pitch for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in what is an exciting opportunity for regional Victoria.”

Business and community leaders including Lord Mayor Sally Capp threw their support behind the bid.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani said a predominantly regional games was a boon for the state.

“This is tremendous news,” she said.

“VTIC has been supportive of Victoria putting forward a bid while this was a thought bubble in recent times. This is just the news we needed to hear.”

Ms Mariani said the Victorian tourism industry had been decimated because of Covid, losing almost $20bn in tourism spend.

“Initiatives like this are what is desperately needed in order to supercharge the recovery here in Victoria and help us regain our position not only as the events capital of Australia but also as a destination of choice for global visitors.”

Ms Mariani said a regional-led event would give Victoria the chance to create legacy products, experiences and infrastructure that would benefit communities for future decares.

But she said it was vital that greater Melbourne also play an important part of the any games.

“We cannot cannot forget Greater Melbourne has been decimated over the last two years, and we really want to work closely with government to look at how it can play a key role,” she said.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra welcomed the move.

“The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been fully supportive of Victoria’s bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and is just delighted with this news which will help our events industry roar back post-COVID-19,” he said.

“If successful, this event will certainly project Victoria into the global spotlight and the flow-on effects for business, the economy and our global reputation will be enormous.

“A regional focus will also stimulate all facets of our state’s jobs, housing, tourism and infrastructure sectors to enjoy the economic boon that this will bring.”