Dual probes to cast forensic eyes over scrapping of Commonwealth Games

Two probes will scrutinise the Victorian State government’s shock decision to scrap the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at the announcement that the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria would be cancelled. Picture: AAP

Two probes will scrutinise the Victorian State government’s shock decision to scrap the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

A parliamentary committee will investigate the controversial call to dump the event after an opposition motion was unanimously backed by the state’s upper house crossbench on Wednesday, 25 votes to 15.

As well, Victoria’s auditor-general looks set to examine the issue after premier Daniel Andrews two weeks ago claimed the original cost of the games had blown out from $2bn to up to $7bn and canned the event altogether.

Opposition leader John Pesutto welcomed bipartisan support from the Greens, the Animal Justice Party and independents — including Moira Deeming and Adem Somyurek — to establish the select committee and said it showed how “serious the deterioration in governance standards” in Victoria is.

“I am confident that finally we're turning the corner on the Andrews government and starting to really hold it to account,” he said.

“The auditor-general will focus particularly on the financial and auditing aspects of the Commonwealth Games debacle.

“While the upper house … will look more closely at governance issues.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier, who put up the motion, said the committee will have “significant powers”. But it cannot compel anyone — such as the Premier, commonwealth games delivery minister Jacinta Allan or regional development minister Harriet Shing to appear before it.

“But it would be in the Victorians public's interest if we heard from … (including) minister Allan, the Premier and minister Shing,” she said.

A chair will be appointed within one week and out of nine members three will be from the opposition, three will be from the government and three from the remaining members of the council including the Greens and crossbenchers.

During question time on Wednesday, Ms Allan refused to say if she would appear before the committee.

“It is inappropriate to pre-empt the actions of a committee,” she said.

“I would remind the house the Andrews Labor government has already previously announced more than $6bn to hold a 12 day event was too much.”

Earlier, Ms Shing proposed a motion to have the auditor-general probe the fiasco instead of a parliamentary inquiry, but it was voted down.

According to a letter sent to leader of the opposition John Pesutto Victoria’s auditor-general Andrew Greaves said he has “initiated a performance engagement withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games 2026.”

A performance engagement will assess “whether agencies have effective programs and services and whether they are using their resources economically and efficiently”, according to a definition on the auditor-general’s website.

The Premier announced the decision to scrap the games — which were meant to be played across five different regional areas — two weeks ago.

Supported by Ms Shing and commonwealth games delivery minister Jacinta Allan, Mr Andrews said the original cost of the games had blown out from $2bn to $7bn.

But Australian Commonwealth Games chief executive Craig Phillips said the figure was a “gross exaggeration” and “not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation has been negotiating a legal settlement, which could cost taxpayers millions.