Today marks one year until the 2026 Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath said instead of preparing to feature Gippsland and regional Victoria on the world stage, Victorians are footing the bill for Labor’s incompetence.
“The Games were infamously cancelled in 2023 by Labor’s then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery and now Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, blaming budget blowouts.
“The damning parliamentary inquiry into their cancellation revealed the truth: the Games were doomed from the start due to Labor’s inept planning and economic mismanagement.
“The debacle cost Victorians at least $589 million, including $200 million for Glasgow to host the Games.
“We are yet to see one brick laid for promised housing projects and left with mounting debt, broken promises, and lost opportunities in regional tourism, hospitality, and retail.”
The inquiry which handed down its findings in April found Premier Jacinta Allan was the architect of the failed Games model.
The Premier refused to cooperate with the investigation, avoiding parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability.
Ms Bath said what should have been a regional showcase became a global embarrassment with a massive bill.
“We have to watch the jobs and investment that should have come to regional Victoria be delivered in Glasgow – at our expense, courtesy of Jacinta Allan.”
“The bungled Games ended up costing the state dearly – the Premier’s incompetence inflicted international reputational damage and a loss of vital long-term economic opportunities that can never be recovered.”
Ms Bath said the Allan Government continues to demonstrate it cannot manage money or major projects.
“State net debt is climbing to $194 billion, with interest repayments of nearly $29 million every single day, all Victorians deserve better.”
