Victorian government bids for 2030 Gay Games after Commonwealth Games failure

Victoria’s spectacular Commonwealth Games flop — which cost taxpayer’s $586m for no return — hasn’t stopped the state government throwing its hat in the ring for the 2030 Gay Games.

Victoria is in the running to host the international 2030 Gay Games, but the state government move has been criticised after ex Premier Daniel Andrews’ shock dumping of the Commonwealth Games.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Melbourne is one of 10 cities in the running to hold the 10-day event, which promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and sports stars on the international stage.

In December, up to 25 cities were nominated but that has now been reduced to the final pool which includes Melbourne.

State representatives will now be invited to Washington in October to pitch their city.

The move by the Allan Government to throw their hat in the ring was made only months after Mr Andrews had spectacularly scrapped the Commonwealth Games 2026, which was to be held in regional Victoria.

Dumping the event cost Victorians $586 million, including $380 million in compensation paid to games organisers.

Former premier Daniel Andrews’ Commonwealth Games failure cost taxpayers $586m. Picture: Aaron Francis

Former Premier Jeff Kennett said Victoria’s reputation internationally had been trashed and he questioned whether Melbourne was likely to win the bid.

“Why would anyone, any organisation committee, trust the state government to deliver? So, I’ll be surprised if we get it,” Mr Kennett said.

“Secondly, has there been due diligence done in terms of costings, viability, or is this just an application without any business plan associated with it like the Commonwealth Games?

“If so, that should be made public, so that the people can have some confidence that the government knows what it’s doing.”

Mr Andrews publicly pulled the plug of the Commonwealth Games in July 2023, after claiming the costs of running the event blew out to $7 billion.

The state government has since been accused of fudging those numbers in attempt to justify the shock cancellation.

Melbourne will be up against Perth and Adelaide in Australia, as well as Auckland, Cape Town, Frankfurt, Denver, Taipei, Vancouver and Edmonton.

Australian athletes attend the opening ceremony of the Gay Games in Hong Kong on November 2023. Picture: AFP

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth said: “After wasting $600 million on the Commonwealth Games debacle, how can any Victorian have confidence Labor can deliver this event?”

A Victorian Government Spokesperson said: “As Australia’s major events capital, we’re always looking at new opportunities and events for our calendar.”

In May, Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos’ office met with advocates for the Gay Games that included Darebin Councillor Julie Williams and Tourism and Events Strategy and Reform executive Director Penelope Guadagnuolo.

The state government declined to comment on costs and plans being pitched.

According to the Gay Games website the competition is open to everyone, “regardless of your sexuality, gender, age or any other characteristic”.

But the event aims to raise awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in sports and culture.

The games are considered to be a lucrative for the host cities.

It has been successfully held in Hong Kong, and Guadalajara in Mexico.

In 2018, the games in Paris boosted the economy by $118m.

In August, Scotland revealed it was on the verge of rescuing the 2026 Commonwealth Games after it had been abandoned by Victoria, with Glasgow in discussions with the committee.