Victorians react to Daniel Andrew’s cancelling 2026 Commonwealth Games

Daniel Andrews has cancelled the Commonwealth Games and Victorians are slamming him for “broken promises”.

Victorians have lashed out at the “humiliating” decision to abruptly cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Games would not go ahead on Tuesday morning, insisting the costs for the regional event had blown out from $2.6 billion to potentially $7 billion or more.

“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost as estimated and budgeted for last year,” he said.

Reaction to the unexpected announcement was mixed.

Opposition leader John Pesutto said the decision was a “massive humiliation for Victoria”.

“This decision is a betrayal of regional Victoria and confirms that Victoria is broke and Labor simply cannot manage major projects without huge cost blowouts,” he tweeted.

Others said it was the right call, describing the 12-day competition as a “waste of money”.

Commonwealth Games was trending on Twitter in Australia amid early reports before the announcement had even officially been made by the Premier.

“If it’s true, this Commonwealth Games announcement will make us the laughing stock of the sporting world,” one man wrote.

“I think we’ve done it: our mad idea to take a major (sorta) international (sorta) multi-sport competition to a series of under-resourced tidy towns might have finally killed off the Commonwealth Games. Few will mourn. But not a great start for Charlie [King Charles] in keeping us all together,” criticised another.

The Andrews Government’s decision to scrap the 2026 Commonwealth Games is a massive humiliation for Victoria.

This decision is a betrayal of regional Victoria and confirms that Victoria is broke and Labor simply cannot manage major projects without huge cost blowouts. JP pic.twitter.com/AtixDEf4Dx

— John Pesutto (@JohnPesutto) July 17, 2023

Sky News host Rita Panahi wrote: “Sure, having to cancel the Commonwealth Games is hugely humiliating. Yes it’s terrible that Victoria has by far the highest debt of any state plus a multitude of integrity scandals but if you think this will end Dan then you’re a fool … he has no opposition. None.”

Victorian Liberal MP and former tennis star Sam Groth said the whole ordeal was a “failure”.

“I don’t understand how the Victorian people can cop what Daniel Andrews is currently selling them. It’s another lie. It’s another backdown. It’s another failure from this government,” he said on Sky News.

Victorian Liberal Sam Groth blasted Dan Andrews for the “failure”. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Luis Enrique Ascui

ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas said a reasonable question being asked was why the government was talking about the Games at the state election last year.

“His government was re-elected at the end of last year and the Commonwealth Games happening in regional Victoria was a key part of the re-election of the Andrews government, and so we didn’t know that it would be cancelled,” she said.

Karvelas said how much it costs to exit the deal was an important question that needed to be answered.

Mr Andrews would not say when asked at the press conference on Tuesday.

Regional Victorians were expectedly most devastated by the announcement, with initial plans being to establish hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with an athlete’s village.

“This is horrible for regional Victoria, it seemed like such a good way to finally get some decent investment in infrastructure in the regions,” said one.

“Shocked and stunned and very sad that the legacy of new housing and sports facilities will not eventuate,” added another.

“Once again Dan abandons regional Victoria. The inner city cultural elite destroy everything they touch,” added a third.

Daniel Andrews has cancelled the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Picture: Today/Channel 9

Mr Andrews announced a regional package of $2 billion in his press conference cancelling the Commonwealth Games.

“Each and every one of the permanent sporting facilities that were to be legacy benefits from the Games will be built,” he insisted.

He said at least 1300 new social and affordable housing homes would be built across regional Victoria.

Mayors of the regional cities set to host the Games were shocked by the news on Tuesday.

Bendigo mayor Andrea Metcalf and Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said they were both disappointed but expressed their relief at the $2 billion regional package.

Ms Metcalf told news.com.au the loss that remained was that local sport fans would no longer have the Games on their doorstep and also the opportunity to really put Bendigo on the map was gone.

“We would have been showcased around the world,” she said, explaining that was expected to increase tourism well after the Games was over.

Latrobe mayor Kellie O’Callaghan agreed, saying the council was “really disappointed”.

“We know particularly a lot of local sporting clubs were very interested in being engaged. We know our community businesses were looking forward to the opportunities this would have created for them.

“We also know our visitor economy would have got a really big boost having so many people come to the region and showcase what we do here.”

Not all were disappointed by the news.

“He has my support on this. Waste of money,” said one person on social media.

“That’s an alpha move. It’s an fiscal boondoggle,” agreed another.

“Scattered all over Victoria, it would hardly feel like a major international event. No loss. Save a fortune,” wrote a third.

Some even called for the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics to be cancelled as well.

Associate Professor Adam Karg, who leads Swinburne University’s Sport Innovation Research Group, said the surprise decision will not sit well with many and opens up bigger questions about the future of the international event.

“The government message appears to be responding to community and sport organisations needs and a redirection of committed funds and resources that will create a greater and more direct benefit, However, a lot has already been committed and spent on the games planning,” he said.

“This decision brings into question the future viability of the Commonwealth Games. If we can’t make it work in Australia with our existing facilities, then who can?”