Commonwealth Games Australia says the 2026 edition of the Games could be delayed by up to a year, as it struggles to find a new host following Victoria’s controversial cancellation of a regional-hosted event.
A federal senate inquiry is investigating the Victorian government’s decision to abruptly axe hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and fork out $380 million in compensation for the cancellation.
Commonwealth Games Australia’s Chief Executive Craig Phillips came under fire at the inquiry in Canberra as he returned to give evidence for a second day.
Mr Phillips, who is open to pushing the event back to 2027, admitted he did not have a blueprint for the games ready for the next potential host and said he did not expect to finalise a solution for the event until early next year.
Liberal senator and member of the investigating committee Anne Ruston told the inquiry she was concerned there had been no “proactive approach” from Commonwealth Games Australia to find a new host for the games, given it had not met with any other premiers or the federal sports minister.
Ms Ruston said she found it “surprising” that Commonwealth Games Australia did not have a blueprint ready to go to begin discussions with other states and offered support from the federal opposition to move the games along.
“I’ve got to say from the outside this all looks like everyone has packed their bags up and gone home and are just waiting for it to all roll by,” she said.
“Right now in the marketplace there is a price tag of 6-7 billion dollars and we have to take the time to dismantle that.”
As the organisers scramble to find a new city to host the 2026 event, Mr Phillips said while he thought it was vital the games were held in Australia, he would support a combined games with another country.
(ABC)
