Still no solution after Victoria walked away from the Commonwealth Games

Victoria shocked the world by walking away from the Commonwealth Games. Officials are no closer to an answer of what is next.

No state in Australia is interested in hosting the Commonwealth Games after Victoria withdrew their bid, a hearing has heard.

A parliamentary injuiry on Thursday heard a meeting of the nation’s sports ministers declined to discuss the future of the Commonwealth Games.

State and territory sports ministers met last week but officials confirmed there was no interest from the jurisdictions to discuss the ill-fated games.

The meeting, organised by Victoria and with an agenda put forward by the state, heard no other state was keen on discussing the issue despite questions from the Department.

“There was no support for that across the various members … that’s because there is no interest to host,” deputy Health secretary Blair Exell said.

Mr Exell said no states are interested in taking up the Commonwealth Games

But officials denied accusations the federal government had not been proactive in finding a solution to the crisis, noting it was discussed at meetings in September and July.

Victoria sensationally abandoned the 2026 games in July after the cost for hosting ballooned $2bn more than the state had budgeted.

Gold Coast mayor, Tom Tate, has repeatedly offered to host but Queensland has ruled out taking up the mantle as host.

Officials also confirmed they’d yet to see a bid or a proposal from the council.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has said finding an Australian solution for 2026 remains the priority. Moving or delaying the date of the event has also been canvassed as an option.

But without any state willing to stump up the cash, it seems unlikely amid reports Australia has just three months to find a host city.

Asked whether he knew where that date came from, Mr Exell said it was “new to us”.

He also was unable to give a timeframe for when Commonwealth Games Australia would be required to put their hand up and say the games weren’t going forward.

Meanwhile, a rejected plan to move the Australian Institute of Sport to south-east Queensland was another hot topic for officials and senators.

Mr Perkins indicated he had no desire to move the AIS.

Documents released under freedom of information last month suggested the price tag of moving the AIS was estimated to be in excess of $1bn.

It also raised concern about the risk a relocation could place on athlete preparation for the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Despite this the federal government ordered an independent review of AIS infrastructure to “help guide investment” and consider the “optimal location” for the body.

Officials insisted it was just to get “fresh advice” but Australian Sports Commission boss Kieran Perkins said he was adamant he wanted it to remain in Canberra.