Andrews cancels Victoria’s standing as a sensible state

By scrapping plans for Victoria to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026, Daniel Andrews effectively has declared to the world that his once-proud state has been reduced to the standing of a clapped-out Third World outpost. The decision is a blow to athletes, the regions and everyone involved. Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto is right to say it is a humiliation for the state. It is also a snub to the Commonwealth of Nations that exposes Mr Andrews’ indifference to the grouping of 56 member states declared “free and equal” but bonded by history. Anthony Albanese’s lukewarm reaction to the news that the Victorian Games would not proceed shows a deplorable lack of conviction about the nation’s place in the sporting world and our historical legacy bound up in the Commonwealth.

Announcing Victoria’s successful bid with Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin in Ballarat in April last year, Mr Andrews no doubt was seeking political capital in an election year when he declared that while the opening ceremony would be in Melbourne, the rest of the program would be held in the regions. Hubs were to be established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. It was the first time in its 92-year history that the Commonwealth Games had been awarded to a state or region rather than a city. That promise to the Commonwealth and the regions, it is now confirmed, was easily expendable, with Mr Andrews declaring on Tuesday the decision to scrap the Games was an easy one to make. Organisers claim there was a lack of consultation and common courtesy. The Commonwealth Games Federation said it was given eight hours’ notice of Victoria’s move to pull out of the 2026 event. Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips said the decision of the Victorian government was “absolutely embarrassing” and would inflict potentially irreparable damage on the state’s reputation among the international sporting community.

Mr Andrews justified his decision to cancel the event on the basis of cost, saying the budget had blown out from $2.6bn to more than $6bn and did not represent value for money. Concern about financial affairs is a refreshing turnaround for the Andrews government given the parlous state of Victoria’s finances. But less costly alternatives could have been considered. Doubt immediately was raised about Mr Andrews’ calculations. The Commonwealth Games Federation said the $6bn figure was 50 per cent more than what was advised to the organising committee at its board meeting last month. The cost of the Gold Coast Games was $1.2bn and the Birmingham Games $1.8bn. Mr Andrews must explain why it would cost more than three times as much to host the same event in Victoria. It is unlikely that taxpayers will be off the hook in any case, given the potential for demands to be made for compensation. The Andrews government was hit with costs after scrapping the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in 2020. It also was forced to spend $1.1bn not to build the East West Link road.

The bigger damage is to the reputation of the state and its capacity to deliver. International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates says the decision is a “terrible embarrassment to Australian sport”. He says we should not be bidding for events unless we know we have the necessary commitments and support of government. Cancellation of the Victorian Games throws the spotlight on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, where the Palaszczuk government has already shown itself to be inept at containing costs. Having put up their hand, state leaders have a responsibility to show that Australia is big enough to get the job done.