NT government urged to consider hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games
The NT government has responded to surprising calls for the Territory to host the Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulled out of hosting duties.
Northern Territory
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The NT government has remained stern on its decision not to bid the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite a push from industry leaders.
A big question mark clouds the event after Victoria withdrew as host with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews citing the potential $7bn cost as the reason.
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said “we need to be really really stick here” about the cost of hosting the games.
“Let’s put it into context here - the number that Daniel Andrews said yesterday is pretty much the size of an annual Territory budget,” she said.
“We are not looking to make a bid for the games.”
However she did suggest there could be an opportunity to participate in a cross-jurisdictional event.
“We do have some world class sporting facilities here and some great opportunities - we will be really happy to have those conversations,” she said.
“If another jurisdiction steps up, if they decide to find a more innovative way to run the Commonwealth Games in the nation and there’s an opportunity for the Territory to participate.”
Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the NT would “have been the ideal place to host” the Games but said economic and social issues played against it.
“With our world class facilities at Marrara, this should have been a no brainer,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Sadly with Natasha Fyles at the helm and the budget in almost $10bn of debt we will miss out again.
“If the Howard Springs facility had not been destroyed under the wear and tear debacle, we would even have athlete accommodation ready to go.”
And while money and population are both issues facing the Territory even more so than Victoria plenty of Territorians said they would love if the games could come to the Top End.
However, Property Council NT executive director Ruth Palmer has called on the government to strongly consider playing a part in the Games revival.
Ms Palmer said hosting the games would put the NT on the global map and “play a realistic role in driving the NT government’s $40bn by 2040 economy target”.
“I strongly urge the NT government to consider stepping in to save the day and take on hosting duties of these Games,” she said.
“You can only imagine the disappointment being felt by athletes and officials right now.
“The Commonwealth Games are a magnificent event for sport, and we should do all we can to support them being a success.
“The timings of the games is critical towards maintaining close relationships within the commonwealth nations, especially those in Australasia.
“I strongly urge the NT government to consider stepping in to save the day and take on hosting duties of these Games.”
It comes as the idea of a North Australia Commonwealth Games has been making the rounds on social media pitching Darwin as the hub, with support from Alice Springs, Cairns and Townsville.
AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden said it was an idea worth exploring as long as the NT had a teaming arrangement with its neighbours.
Mr Bowden has been front and centre in bringing an AFL team to the NT and sees the development of a multi-purpose stadium as key to that goal, as well as for opportunities such as the Commonwealth Games.
“The NT needs a teaming arrangement with WA or North Queensland, but if that could be put in place I would 100 per cent support it,” he said.
“We’d have to be mindful of weather conditions, but this could be a stimulus for the Territory to focus on a master plan for future municipal, regional and remote infrastructure.
“The Territory should be aiming to do this work over the next 18 months so we can position ourselves in the next decade to take advantage of opportunities and become a sport destination.
“We’re continuing work on an AFL team which should be an anchor for this development, but we need to have a vision for all sports and major events such as concerts and trade shows.”
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
Sarah Chau
Yes
I would 1000 per cent love to see the games. It was the best thing as a kid growing up watching the athletes come to Darwin, that’s how I got to into the games.
Vickie Miller
Depends
It’s a hard one, it would probably bring a lot of money to the Territory but the expenses beforehand might not work.
Brooke Prince
Depends
I think we have some really good infrastructure here, so it would be interesting to see what we could do with the games.
Danny Beasy
Yes
It would be nice to have it here instead of always having to travel, we have a lot of really good facilities particularly in Marrara.
Hanna Beere
Yes
We don’t exactly have the population, but it would be fantastic. I would go down to watch it and maybe even volunteer, it would be good fun.
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