Gold Coast mayor: ‘no reason’ not to host Commonwealth Games

The Gold Coast mayor wants to host the Commonwealth Games 2026 after Victoria pulled out of hosting the event on Tuesday.

The Mayor of the Gold Coast, who has put his hand up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, has had a go at Dan Andrews for sensationally pulling Victoria out of staging the international sporting event.

Mayor Tom Tate says there’s “no reason” his city couldn’t host the Games again, as it had done in 2018.

The Victorian Premier left many shocked on Tuesday when he said the state would no longer host the games, saying the cost had blown out to $6-7bn for a 12-day event which was not value for money.

Mr Tate was not impressed with the Premier’s actions, as he reaffirmed his desire for the Gold Coast to step in.

“If any government makes a deal, stick to it,” Mr Tate told ABC Radio on Friday.

“We should have a crack, as Australians we should make our words good.”

Tom Tate said the Gold Coast could deliver the 2026 Commonwealth Games ‘with pizzazz’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ announcement on Tuesday caused uproar. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Gold Coast hosted the Games in 2018. Picture: Facebook

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Tuesday the state “cannot afford to spend more money on another Games”.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland’s priority was the 2032 Olympic Games, which will be funded in partnership with the federal government, and was unable to also host the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Tate, however, said there was “no reason” the sunshine state couldn’t host both events.

“All I’m asking is the money that was allocated for the operation of the Victorian Games be reprovisioned to the Gold Coast,” he told RN Breakfast’s Patricia Karvelas on Friday.

“We don’t need any dollars from (the premier).”

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium. Picture: Facebook (AFP/Francois Xavier Marit)

Mr Tate estimated he could host the Games with a budget of $1.2bn of the reallocated funds.

“I’m confident we would do it for much less than that,” he added.

“We’ve done it before, our buildings and stadiums are up to scratch … we can deliver this with pizzazz and (keep) our reputation in tact with the world.”

Mr Tate said the Gold Coast’s infrastructure was already ‘up to scratch’. Picture: Facebook

Mr Tate said he remained “100 per cent confident” Gold Coast could successfully host the Games in 2026 and confirmed he would still take his road map to Ms Palaszczuk regardless of her earlier comments.

“It would be great for Queensland,” he said.

“The $2.7m economic impact that will return to the city and Southeast Queensland is a welcome deal.

“It’s a win for everyone, especially the athletes.”

The premiers of NSW, SA, WA and Tasmania have also confirmed they will not take over hosting duties from regional Victoria.

Originally published as Gold Coast mayor: ‘no reason’ not to host Commonwealth Games