Labor MPs still behind Jacinta Allan, despite grumbles after demise of Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games Delivery portfolio ceased to exist in Victoria on Thursday. But the minister responsible for delivering the Games, unsuccessfully, remains in cabinet as the natural successor to Premier Daniel Andrews.

Jacinta Allan still had the backing of Labor MPs on Thursday after the 2026 regional Victoria Games were unceremoniously dumped this week, adding to the baggage the deputy premier already carries as transport infrastructure minister from the delayed Airport Rail project and blown out West Gate Tunnel.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday.Credit: Jacinta Allan

“She’s been handed a golden egg, and it keeps cracking,” one Labor source said.

The Age has spoken to more than a dozen Labor figures and MPs inside and outside the Victorian parliament about the decision to axe the Games, at a yet-to-be-disclosed cost to taxpayers. They asked to be anonymous so they could discuss internal party matters and protect their positions.

MPs broadly agreed the decision to ditch the Games was necessary after the projected cost grew from $2.6 billion to as much as $7 billion, particularly given the cost-of-living crisis and the state’s heavy debt burden.

“But the community deserves an explanation,” one MP said.

Premier Daniel Andrews and his deputy Jacinta Allan announcing the Games were doomed on Tuesday.Credit: Joe Armao

Backbenchers were briefed shortly before the cancellation was announced on Tuesday, and Allan, who cut short a family holiday in the United States, was phoning regional MPs that morning to promise that legacy infrastructure worth $2 billion was still on the way.

“You’re f---ing kidding,” one MP initially pondered before ultimately agreeing with the decision. Metro MPs were not fielding complaints from constituents, while the regions — although disappointed — were still reaping billions.

Allan, who took over as Commonwealth Games delivery minister in June last year after the government had already won the bid, cannot be blamed for any early miscalculations. Nor can Harriet Shing, whose Commonwealth Games legacy portfolio was also expunged on Thursday.

But multiple Labor figures said the saga reinforced a perception that Allan had overseen troubled projects as transport infrastructure minister.

It was in April that the state government delayed the Airport Rail project, blindsiding and angering MPs in the burgeoning western suburbs who are desperate for better transport connections. Federal funding for it remains in doubt.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who has referred the Games cancellation to the auditor-general for investigation, on Thursday called on Andrews to sack Allan from cabinet for “gross incompetence”.

“If ministerial responsibility counts for anything, heads must roll, starting with Jacinta Allan, who continues to oversee costly blowouts on major projects across Victoria,” Pesutto said.

“She should no longer be a minister, let alone succeed the premier when he inevitably steps down.”

Several MPs laughed off suggestions there were any rumblings against her. “That’s bullshit,” one said. “No one is talking like that.”

Housing Minister Colin Brooks said Pesutto would be sacked as Liberal leader before Allan was removed.

“Ministers can’t control everything in their portfolio,” Brooks said.

“[She’s] a fantastic deputy premier and minister. I’ve had a lot to do with Jacinta over a long time, and every conversation I’ve had with her has been focused on the Victorian people, policy and projects.”

The Age contacted Allan and her office on Thursday to seek comment, but the minister did not respond.

One senior MP said despite some agitators, there was strong loyalty for the leadership team and a belief in collectively owning policies that go well, along with those that don’t.

“I think over the past eight years or so, I have demonstrated that I’m not one to cut and run when challenges get hard,” Allan said on Wednesday.

Any possible challenge to Allan’s position would likely wait until Andrews eventually resigns from parliament, two sources said. But even that was not viewed as a serious prospect.

It didn’t help that Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll – sometimes touted as a potential challenger from the divided Right faction – appeared to like an Instagram post from shadow Commonwealth Games spokesman David Southwick.

It declared in red: “JACINTA’S BLOWOUTS,” and was quickly unliked.

Carroll did not respond to a request for comment.

With Annika Smethurst and Broede Carmody

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