Victoria Cancels Hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games

S2 on 18/07/2023 - 10:15
Last edited 18/07/2023 - 14:40 by 1 other user

Front page news Who remembered it was even in Australia?

Very disappointing for the athletes. Shame that it has to cost so much. No doubt the cost of building anything contributed to this.

I've seen one comment saying it's become a spectacle more than a sporting event. That got me thinking that I would accept it being scaled down to be less visually extravagant and more focused on sporting achievement.
What are your thoughts on cancelling the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

Edit 1: The cost of the games was originally budgeted at $2.6 billion, but new estimates is $6 billion and potential more than $7 billion. This has triggered the decision to cancel.

Edit 2: politics and finances aside, it is extremely sad for sport.

Sports & Outdoors Commonwealth Games

Comments

          • jv on 18/07/2023 - 10:54
            +9

            @pharkurnell:

            He was told one figure

            As expected, passing the buck.

            Dan is accountable for this stuff up. But he's trying to blame others.

            He signed the contract.

            • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 11:01
              +4

              @jv: What you think he or any sitting politician sits there and goes through tenders and estimates personally

              LMAO!!!!!

              • Meeb on 18/07/2023 - 15:05
                +4

                @pharkurnell: LOL jv so naive
                absolutely there would be a team of people looking at it and then just providing a summary brief to the minister/premier to approve.

                • pharkurnell on 19/07/2023 - 13:03

                  @Meeb: He should watch Yes Minster that 1980s UK series… says everything about politics..

                • Bren20 on 20/07/2023 - 08:53

                  @Meeb: There has been a colossal failure of process here, and Dan hasn't exactly got a track record of accountability. How were the numbers so wrong? Why is it costing so much more than other comm games?

                  The idea was poorly thought through to start with. How do you get 20000 people to an event in Ballarat? The train + road capacity is a fraction of this. These inconvenient truths were ignored from the start, but they're actually fundamentally unsolvable.

          • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:44

            @pharkurnell: Cost blow puts are labors easy off streaming money. Wake up. They've been doing it for decades

      • Danstar on 18/07/2023 - 10:59
        +1

        Pretty sure he mentioned he was happy to have it in Victoria every 4 years for ever lol

        • jv on 18/07/2023 - 11:58
          -7

          I'm guessing he was expecting personal 'kickbacks' like they get for the Olympics, and found out they were not forthcoming…

          • No on 18/07/2023 - 12:01
            +4

            @jv: That's a pretty bold claim, got any proof to back it up?

            • Munki on 18/07/2023 - 15:57
              +11

              @No: jv never has proof. All he has are bold claims. As well as random bolding.

          • poohduck on 18/07/2023 - 21:24
            +1

            @jv: do you know anything of the housing industry right now? Any idea why so many builders have folded? If that can happen to someone who builds houses, imagine the cost increases (still growing) for infrastructure for the commonwealth games. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=builders+going+out+of+business&t=o…

            • pharkurnell on 19/07/2023 - 13:04

              @poohduck: FFS, dont bring logic to this …. JV's on a roll… with mayo and cheese I think

      • Protractor on 18/07/2023 - 15:29
        +3

        Danned if he does, Danned if he don't
        Good on him for standing up to the trough. The Aussie athletes will have to find another way to bully other C'welath backwaters. Besides, the service industry can use their help. Record breaking baristas apply here.

        • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:45
          -1

          You are the reason Victoria is screwed for decades. Well done for helping in the destruction of this once great state.

    • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 10:36

      Some of this is answered in the article, although there is little detail. The original estimate was $2.6 billion originally but new estimates indicate it will be $6 billion and potentially higher. That has triggered the decision to cancel.

      • Stopback on 18/07/2023 - 11:08
        +3

        The sports-related costs of Gold Coast 2018 was A$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion).[50][51]

        Damn inflation.

      • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:47
        +1

        Lies lies and more lies from Dan. And you keep believing them. Thanks for contributing to the destruction of this once great state

      • vanyellow on 20/07/2023 - 06:07

        Dan must be an ozbargin fan

        3x the listed price? Yah…nah

    • JimmyF on 18/07/2023 - 10:46
      +15

      How utterly incompetent is Dan.

      LOL Oh look, jv Dan bashing again…..

      • jv on 18/07/2023 - 10:47
        -1

        LOL Oh look, jv Dan bashing again…..

        You mean posting facts..

        • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 10:56
          +10

          There are actually just 9 questions in your comment.

          • jv on 18/07/2023 - 11:59
            +3

            @S2: You can count…

            Maybe Dan could use your services…

            • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 12:04
              +6

              @jv: I have also been known to differentiate between questions and facts.

              • jv on 18/07/2023 - 12:08

                @S2: learn to read between the lines.

                • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 12:09
                  +6

                  @jv:

                  You mean posting facts.

                  there is no way to read between lines for this statement to be true.

                  • jv on 18/07/2023 - 12:11
                    +1

                    @S2: You aren't trying then…

                    • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 12:24
                      +4

                      @jv: I did.
                      After making your statement, there has been a lot of focus on what I need to be doing to accept what you've written.
                      There is nothing wrong in reassessing your statement and accepting you were wrong initally - like Dan has done in this case.

      • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:48

        The more bashing be gets the better. $300 billion worth of around $10 million a day. That's how much he's bashing us

    • Protractor on 18/07/2023 - 15:30
      +1

      Pick a lane, dude.

      • jv on 18/07/2023 - 16:00
        +2

        Pick a lane

        here…

  • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 10:37
    +4

    I feel sick that I agree with an Andrews decision….

    Theres so much more that 7 billion could do good with considering homeless and housing issues we have… AS long as the funds are directed that way

    • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 10:40
      +1

      There's actually only $2.6 billion budgeted and some of that has already been spent. Even so, that is a lot of money. I will add this detail into the post.

      • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 10:41
        +6

        Correct on the 2.6

        But if it went ahead it would have been 6-7 billion for a few people running round a track for 12 days. . theres better things that the 7 bill could be spent on - so cancelling it is 100% the right decision.

        how much is that per day for 7 billion? Is it gold plated track?

        • jv on 18/07/2023 - 10:50
          +4

          But if it went ahead it would have been 6-7 billion

          Surely he would have known this when we signed….

          It is a tripling of the cost… Inflation is not 300% yet….

          • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 10:54
            +1

            @jv: Well done, you're maths is good.

            Have a look at housing industry at cost issues and blowouts and bankruptcies - same for games.

            • jv on 18/07/2023 - 10:55
              +3

              @pharkurnell:

              Have a look at housing industry at cost issues

              They haven't gone up 300% in the last year.

              • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 10:58
                +5

                @jv: They went bankrupt.

              • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 10:59
                +1

                @jv: Sometimes in life you have to make smart decisions and for Andrews, this is one of them, and its extremely popular listening to talk back this morning…

                Cut your losses before you blow 7 billion.. - which is only another estimate.. which could be 8 billion

                I cant think off top of my head any Gov project that comes in on the original costings… There probably is 1 but I cant think of it.

                • jv on 18/07/2023 - 11:01
                  +6

                  @pharkurnell:

                  Sometimes in life you have to make smart decisions and for Andrews,

                  Signing the contract was not a smart decision.

                  • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 11:03
                    +12

                    @jv: Cancelling the games is an extremely wise** decision**

                    • RockyRaccoon on 18/07/2023 - 11:36
                      +1

                      @pharkurnell: and @JV

                      Ok guys the numbers you are both quoting are just BS.

                      Point 1 Lets have the XXX - So make sure the estimate is low when they (Insert Politicians Name) want it.

                      Point 2 Lets not have the XXX. The make the estimate much higher.

                      Both are just that - estimates to achieve what they want.

                      Comm Games, Snowy Battery etc etc

                • moar bargains on 18/07/2023 - 13:07

                  @pharkurnell:

                  I cant think off top of my head any Gov project that comes in on the original costings… There probably is 1 but I cant think of it.

                  Well what's 10 billion between friends anyway?

                • jv on 18/07/2023 - 21:59
                  +1

                  @poohduck: Yep, lots of people who worked for these guys are now looking for more work to do…

          • Gdsamp on 18/07/2023 - 13:44
            +3

            @jv:

            It is a tripling of the cost… Inflation is not 300% yet….

            Not unless you're referring to the price of Kettle Chips

        • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:50

          The $7 billion is a LIE???

    • p1 ama on 18/07/2023 - 16:03
      +6

      I feel sick that I agree with an Andrews decision….

      Politics (and people more broadly) would be so much better and less toxic without this ridiculous tribal nonsense.

    • ihfree on 19/07/2023 - 21:50

      I feel sick that I agree with an Andrews decision….

      God, that's hugely problematic. You agree with a decision but are upset because of the person who made it.

    • Mozzmanau on 19/07/2023 - 23:49

      The $7 billion is another lie from Dan. How can you believe anything that filthy thing says?

  • Gervais fanboy on 18/07/2023 - 10:40
    +6

    Let’s save these funds for bribing distributing ‘stimulus fundings’ to the citizens before the next election cycle..

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2023 - 10:44
    +5

    How embarrassment !

    • Gervais fanboy on 18/07/2023 - 10:45
      +5

      Very ‘embarrassment’ indeed

    • jv on 18/07/2023 - 10:52
      +6

      Add to that, How incompetent !

      • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2023 - 10:54
        +1

        But wait, looks like it's fake news

        The Games must go on ….

        • RockyRaccoon on 18/07/2023 - 11:41

          Nah

          fake news

          is just so passée , its now

          Misinformation

          • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2023 - 11:42

            @RockyRaccoon: I'm waiting for the Bill to be passed before I adopt the official legal speak

        • jv on 18/07/2023 - 12:14
          +3

          But wait, looks like it's fake news

          Dan first needs to pay a consultant $1 million to update the website.

          • RockyRaccoon on 18/07/2023 - 14:01
            +1

            @jv: He's probably waiting for a higher submission first

            • jv on 18/07/2023 - 14:08
              +3

              @RockyRaccoon: Waiting for a quote from one of his cronies.

  • Ozymandias on 18/07/2023 - 10:55
    +6

    Good call, especially when they've decided to keep going with the infrastructure upgrades but not have to spend all the other money on actually hosting the Games. Brisbane could learn a thing or two.

    • jv on 18/07/2023 - 12:02
      -2

      decided to keep going with the infrastructure upgrades

      Because all our regional cities must have olympic quality swimming pools as a priority and not hospitals…

      Why doesn't he redirect the $2 billion into regional healthcare?

      • SkMed on 19/07/2023 - 10:50

        Lol, they already gave regional Vic the biggest funding boost in history last year with $1 billion. Using the money for local sporting and housing seems like the right call here.

        • jv on 19/07/2023 - 10:59
          +1

          Using the money for local sporting and housing seems like the right call

          Won't be much left after they pay the $1 billion+++ compensation for breaking the contract…

          Maybe they might have enough to build a couple of swimming lanes in the local river?

          • SkMed on 19/07/2023 - 11:42

            @jv: Just because QLD estimated it would cost them $1 billion to scap the games 10 years ago doesn't automatically mean that's the case here. To date no major contracts have been signed as they had been with QLD, so this $1billion compensation fee is just a made up figure, just as you're claiming Dans $7 billion is. Funny you can just do the exact same thing you're accusing and complaining about the Vic government of doing, pretty hypocritical innit?

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 18/07/2023 - 10:56
    +17

    The fact people still think Dan Andrews is a 'good premier' is the real shock - Victoria is bankrupt

    This was the right call to cancel it is embarrassing it is something you would expect a 3rd world country to do cancel an event 3 years from it starting.

    It was wrong to put our hand up to host this money pit of an event a number of ppl said it at the time.

    • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 11:06
      +2

      The fact people still think Dan Andrews is a 'good premier' is the real shock

      I don't think this is true. I think Dan is only better than the alternatives available.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 18/07/2023 - 11:16
        +6

        I don't think this is true. I think Dan is only better than the alternatives available.

        just because the competition is rubbish doesnt mean you are not rubbish as well…..

        • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 11:19

          Definitely agree with you here. It also doesn't mean anyone thinks Dan Andrews is a "good premier".

        • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 11:46

          Then what are the options… you've just said they are all rubbish… which they are.

          • Trying2SaveABuck on 18/07/2023 - 12:05
            -1

            @pharkurnell: There are more then 2-3 parties you can vote for boss….

            • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 12:30
              +2

              @Trying2SaveABuck: Most of them are rubbish too. I cant think of any worthy of my vote.

              • lachhelix on 18/07/2023 - 14:14
                -1

                @pharkurnell: Me either

              • Trying2SaveABuck on 18/07/2023 - 16:51
                -2

                @pharkurnell: Vote independent and it tell the majors to do better….keep voting for the rubbish ALP/Greens in Victoria you will continue to get rubbish

                Victorians have no one to blame but themselves

                The opposition in Guy was weak but he was better then the Clown Andrews.

                • Randolph Duke on 18/07/2023 - 19:13
                  -1

                  @Trying2SaveABuck: I was too afraid I was going to be bashed by African gangs I didn't have the courage to vote for the Mobster with the Lobster.

                  • Mozzmanau on 20/07/2023 - 00:08

                    @Randolph Duke: You are the reason Victoria is doomed. Still crapping on about the lobster garbage which was all BS. can't wait to see you begging in the streets when you can't afford to live here anymore. Won't be long now

                    • Randolph Duke on 20/07/2023 - 00:23

                      @Mozzmanau: Thanks man, I didn’t realise my vote counted for more than everyone in the state but pretty chuffed I hold that sort of power.

                      Since you’re so worried about money, you must be disappointed to see the Libs arguing we should spend $7 billion on the Commonwealth games.

                      P.S. Were the tape recordings faked? “A Liberal insider conspired to funnel donations from an alleged Mafia boss and his three relatives into party coffers after a lobster dinner involving the men and Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, secret phone records have revealed.”

      • Mozzmanau on 20/07/2023 - 00:06
        +1

        If your think Dan is the best option then you are the cause of Victorias downfall. Can't wait to see you on your knees when Victoria ends up in the sewer

        • Randolph Duke on 20/07/2023 - 00:25

          Better than the piss weak opposition can put up. Dan’s a slippery, slimy politician, but better than anything the Libs have to offer at the moment, which is a terrible position for the state to be in.

        • Randolph Duke on 20/07/2023 - 00:28
          +1

          28 comments in this thread in 45mins (and 1/6th of your total post count), I admire your passion to hate on Dan. Betoota wrote a sweet article on you today

          link

    • Mozzmanau on 20/07/2023 - 00:04
      +2

      This is exactly what's wrong with Victoria, the people. So many Victorians have zero brains in their head. How they keep voting for this clown and supporting him is mind blowing. I can't wait till I move to QLD and watch Victoria become a sewer after all the businesses leave while everyone here will keeps blaming someone else for the $10 million a day debt that needs to be paid off. It will never be Dan's fault.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/07/2023 - 07:40

        This is exactly what's wrong with Victoria, the people. So many Victorians have zero brains in their head. How they keep voting for this clown and supporting him is mind blowing. I can't wait till I move to QLD and watch Victoria become a sewer after all the businesses leave while everyone here will keeps blaming someone else for the $10 million a day debt that needs to be paid off. It will never be Dan's fault.

        well said

    • ThithLord on 20/07/2023 - 08:51

      Does anyone have any deals on copium for Trying2SaveABuck

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 18/07/2023 - 10:56
    +1

    The money would be better invested into shares/crypto.

  • Danstar on 18/07/2023 - 10:58
    +9

    Wow. Great call by Dan! Stupid to accept it in the first place as literally no one else wanted it for the very reason it’s being cancelled

    • Gervais fanboy on 18/07/2023 - 11:02
      +3

      F the games, they don’t matter.
      What troubles me is that we are in serious debt already and this has just confirmed that.
      Tougher times ahead.

    • jv on 18/07/2023 - 12:15
      +3

      Dan! Stupid to accept it

      Couldn't have said it better myself…

  • Ocker on 18/07/2023 - 10:59
    +6

    Another example of the incompetence of the Andrews government financial planning process - the cost goes from $2.6 billion to an estimated $6 billion. For sure the final cost would have been a damn sight more than $6 billion.

    • xdigger on 18/07/2023 - 21:53

      We should import cheaper tradies from overseas to build up Australia infrastructure and solve the housing and building crisis, do the games for $500 million. We are already importing nurses doctors and fruitpickers from developing countries anyway.

  • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 11:07
    +1

    I should have known this post would become political and financial.
    I guess we don't actually care much for sport.

    • pharkurnell on 18/07/2023 - 11:11

      I can watch Moto 2, Moto 3 or WSBK, and AFL all day :D

      watching people running in circles, ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

      • S2 on 18/07/2023 - 11:17

        The people playing AFL benefit from the techniques, skills, mentality pioneered by those people running in circles.

    • randomusername2017 on 18/07/2023 - 11:18
      +1

      Maybe link thisin the OP instead.

    • AustriaBargain on 18/07/2023 - 11:52
      +5

      Well it was announced by a politician who cited financial reasons…

    • smartazz104 on 18/07/2023 - 14:36
      +1

      I guess we don't actually care much for sport.

      Most people who claim to care for sport do little more than park their arse on the couch to watch it on TV.

      • gromit on 18/07/2023 - 18:06

        which is in most cases more than enough, their eyeballs on screens pays for those sports.

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