Daniel Andrews originally eyed 2030s Commonwealth Games — not 2026
Before Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews gambled – and lost – on the 2026 Commonwealth Games hosting, the 2030 or 2034 event was on the agenda.
The Andrews Government originally joined a taskforce working towards bidding for the 2030 or 2034 Commonwealth Games — not the doomed 2026 event which has turned into a political scandal and left Victorians facing a compensation bill of at least $380 million.
Emails and other communications from members of the joint council-government committee reveal that as far back as 2017, senior bureaucrats and ministers were involved in the early stages of preparing a bid for a regional games in the 2030s.
Communications covering a two-year period show senior sporting and major events public servants were actively involved with the plan being pushed by a coalition of regional councils.
None of the communications obtained by The Australian reference the 2026 Commonwealth Games and focus on bidding for the event in 2030 or 2034.
The taskforce was blindsided in April 2022, just six months before the state election, when Premier Daniel Andrews announced the government had won the right to host a regional games in 2026.
“The state government working group want to be intricately involved in the project going forward including part of the EOI/quotation process for the pre-feasibility study and the creation of a Greater Victoria Commonwealth Games Board,” one message sent by a taskforce member states.
“With the state government wanting to be involved in creation of the Board the incorporation process can be placed on hold until the completion of the pre-feasibility study.
“The government want to have a say over who is appointed and how governance will operate.
Overall the meeting was very positive with a definite change in their perception. They demonstrated greater enthusiasm for the project and they definitely want to be more involved.”
The council-government taskforce originally targeted the 2030 games, but this changed over time to focus on the 2034 event. The long timeline was designed to avoid cost blowouts of hosting a regional games, the very disaster that has forced Mr Andrews to axe the 2026 event.
One email from the 2017-18 period discusses the role of the what is described as an
“inter-departmental working group” in the preparation of the 2030s bid.
“An inter-departmental working group has been established between Government departments including Sports and Recreation and Visit Victoria ... been very helpful and a keen support of the concept.”
Documents also reveal that the council-government taskforce was made up of public servants from the departments covering sport, recreation, industry development, regional development, major events and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Another email from this period states:
“There has been a lot of work happening both from within our group and within the government and public service. Our aim is to raise funds for the full feasibility study and we feel we are heading on the right track to achieve that.”
A critical meeting with the then Minister for Sport, John Eren, is referenced in another communication by a senior taskforce member.
“We finally met with the minister for sport and recreation - John Eren,” it states.
“Whilst minister Eren let it be known he would have liked to have been informed from the time we announced the proposal he did give us his qualified support.
“In offering such support, the minister will sign off a $30,000 allocation for the (pre-feasibility) project based on a $50,000 co-contribution from regional councils.”
A letter dated April 18, 2018, from Mr Eren to taskforce members confirmed the government had decided to help fund the pre-feasibility study into a 2030 or 2034 bid.
“Thank you for your recent letter seeking support for a pre-feasibility study into regional Victoria hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
“Congratulations on your approval for funding. I look forward to hearing the outcomes of the study once it is finalised,” Mr Eren wrote.
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