Commonwealth Games

[chef]

Re: Commonwealth Games

People always look at costs and forget about benefits, but it gets to a stage where costs exceed benefits.

A better benefit would be to put that money into our country roads, schools, hospitals rather than a games no one really cares about in the bush.

[D Mitchell]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Countries lose out hosting the Olympics and World Cup (unless you're trying to whitewash a bad reputation or something intangible like that). Of course it's not worth hosting the Commonwealth Games.

On intangibles, in 2006, before the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where Aths were at the G, the Vic Championships were shifted to the G. Every athlete in Victoria, and beyond, wanted to run, huge fields and spectators in the Stands approaching football numbers. One of Kevin Bartlett's daughters ran 4th in a heat of a 400 m and was written up in the following day's Hun, you can imagine the angle. At least among athletes, family and friends, it was an uplifting few days.

There's something charming and quirky about the Commonwealth, bringing disparate people with an unusual commonality, a former colonial empire, together. The Commonwealth Games are closer to the Schools' Combined Sports than highly politicised events like the Olympics.

[Critter]

Re: Commonwealth Games

A better benefit would be to put that money into our country roads, schools, hospitals rather than a games no one really cares about in the bush.

Snap! Got your wish Chef. (I agree with you)

[Bornadog]

Re: Commonwealth Games

A better benefit would be to put that money into our country roads, schools, hospitals rather than a games no one really cares about in the bush.

That was the reasoning for cancelling

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Sounds like the Vic State Govt have finally run out of other people's money

So thats why the phantom road works on the Monash freeway have stopped.

[Sedat]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Given the prolonged inability to land projects at anywhere near the estimates you can understand why they just can't proceed.
The interest payments alone are substantial.

Of course this is 100% correct, but when you are already $175bn in debt in Victoria alone (real estimates closer to $300bn), what's another $6bn amongst friends? Not to mention well over $1 trillion debt nationally. What makes this specific project so utterly worthless and needing to immediately be cancelled compared to every single other project (state or federal, Labor or Liberal) that invariably ends up being way over budget and way over time, with questionable benefits to the community that are never able to be quantified in basic $$ terms? Anyway I'm sure the original press announcement of the Comm Games looked impressive in customary hi-viz and hard hat.

I wish I could be as utterly useless at basic Year 9 level budgeting and forecasting in my day-to-day private sector job (and then give myself a 12% pay rise every year) while everyone in vulnerable and low-income communities are choosing tonight between keeping on the heater or eating.

[GVGjr]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Getting too political - I will leave it at that.

Well not from my perspective. I think they should be applauded for making the right decision given they can't get anywhere near what they budgeted for.
Good intentions but way too expensive to justify.

[GVGjr]

Re: Commonwealth Games

A better benefit would be to put that money into our country roads, schools, hospitals rather than a games no one really cares about in the bush.

It's the same reasoning why people in Tasmania aren't right behind the new stadium in Hobart.
The vast majority want a stadium and they definitely want an AFL team but it might not be the highest priority at the moment given works on schools, roads and hospitals need to be the priority.

[Axe Man]

Re: Commonwealth Games

A better benefit would be to put that money into our country roads, schools, hospitals rather than a games no one really cares about in the bush.

I get what you are saying but people say this every time money is spent on anything other than schools, roads or hospitals. Yes they are probably our most important pieces of public infrastructure, but parks, sporting facilities, the arts, etc are important too.

Obviously this wasn't good bang for buck, but sometimes projects like this can be worthwhile.

[chef]

Re: Commonwealth Games

I get what you are saying but people say this every time money is spent on anything other than schools, roads or hospitals. Yes they are probably our most important pieces of public infrastructure, but parks, sporting facilities, the arts, etc are important too.

Obviously this wasn't good bang for buck, but sometimes projects like this can be worthwhile.

Yeah I'm missing an etc after hospitals, just spend the money on something we actually need.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Dan Andrews is an embarrassment.

Firstly, did anyone take responsibility for under forecasting what the event would cost by ~$4-5B? Whose fault is that? On what pretense did you decide to take the event? How much time, energy and money has already been spent on this now fruitless endeavor?

Secondly. If you were going to take the project on. Why not just hold it where you already have world class facilities? Why take it to the regional cities besides that you wanted something you could sell to the people? Typical idealist. It sounds great. We will be able to sell that vision. But in reality it doesn't make any sense at all. Who takes responsibility for this?

Where is the apology to the people of Victoria? We get a fake and cheap throwaway line that he cant justify taking money from schools or hospitals? If that is what you judge spending criteria on, then how do you justify spending money on anything else? Why agree to spend more than $2B to begin with if schools and hospitals are your priorty?

Tell it like it is. We have been spending beyond our means in this state for a long time now. Interest rates have sky rocketed. Our irresponsible overspending has now put us in a dangerous financial situation. We can't afford anything due to our ongoing mismanagement and miscalculations. We will need to continue to raise taxes on the already highest taxed state in the country due to our incompetence.

I'm sick of the spin, the lies and not taking responsibility for anything. This is what happens when you don't have any half decent opposition to hold the Government accountable.

[Sedat]

Re: Commonwealth Games

The last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham cost $1.5bn. No previous Commonwealth Games have cost anywhere near $7bn.

Posted without opinion.

[GVGjr]

Re: Commonwealth Games

I get what you are saying but people say this every time money is spent on anything other than schools, roads or hospitals. Yes they are probably our most important pieces of public infrastructure, but parks, sporting facilities, the arts, etc are important too.

Obviously this wasn't good bang for buck, but sometimes projects like this can be worthwhile.

The concept is a great one and could have given many great regional towns improved facilities. Who wouldn't want that?
With the costs blowing out and apparently the majority of the money initially budgeted for already stashed away the regional towns will still receive a boost and hopefully it can cover a wide range infrastructure needs.

The concern is how and why such a substantial blowout occurred?

I love the Commonwealth Games and Australia is an absolute powerhouse in them but the planned 2.6B was already a huge investment and there is no way we should pick up an additional 4 or 5B to cover it.

Is our title of being the big events and sporting state right in the firing line now?

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Phillips AM, has made the following comments about the decision to withdraw from the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games by the Victorian Government.

“The announcement made by the Victorian Government today is beyond disappointing.”

“It’s a comprehensive let down for the athletes, the excited host communities, First Nations Australians who were at the heart of the Games, and the millions of fans that would have embraced a sixth home Games in Australia.”

“The multi-city model for delivering Victoria 2026 was an approach proposed by the Victorian Government, in accordance with strategic roadmap of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).”

“It was pitched to the CGF after Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) had sought interest to host the Games from several states. They did not step in as hosts at the last minute, as indicated by the Premier earlier today.”

“The detailed budgetary implications announced today have not been sighted or discussed with the CGF or CGA ahead of being notified of the Government’s decision.

“The stated costs overrun, in our opinion, are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.”

“Beyond this, the Victorian Government wilfully ignored recommendations to move events to purpose-built stadia in Melbourne and in fact remained wedded to proceeding with expensive temporary venues in regional Victoria.”

“CGA would welcome the opportunity to review the financial analysis prepared independently of those who have been involved at the coal face of planning and delivery.”

“We thank the dedicated staff at the Organising Committee and the Office for the Commonwealth Games for their effort, acknowledging that today will be a tough time for those who have worked so hard.”

“We also welcome the announced commitment to regional housing, a critical legacy component of the Games wholeheartedly supported and encouraged from the outset by CGA.”

“The Victorian Government, however, has jeopardised Melbourne and Victoria’s standing as a sporting capital of the world.”

https://commonwealthgames.com.au/cga-statement-from-craig-phillips-am-victoria-2026/

[Bornadog]

Re: Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Phillips AM, has made the following comments about the decision to withdraw from the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games by the Victorian Government.

“The announcement made by the Victorian Government today is beyond disappointing.”

“It’s a comprehensive let down for the athletes, the excited host communities, First Nations Australians who were at the heart of the Games, and the millions of fans that would have embraced a sixth home Games in Australia.”

“The multi-city model for delivering Victoria 2026 was an approach proposed by the Victorian Government, in accordance with strategic roadmap of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).”

“It was pitched to the CGF after Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) had sought interest to host the Games from several states. They did not step in as hosts at the last minute, as indicated by the Premier earlier today.”

“The detailed budgetary implications announced today have not been sighted or discussed with the CGF or CGA ahead of being notified of the Government’s decision.

“The stated costs overrun, in our opinion, are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.”

“Beyond this, the Victorian Government wilfully ignored recommendations to move events to purpose-built stadia in Melbourne and in fact remained wedded to proceeding with expensive temporary venues in regional Victoria.”

“CGA would welcome the opportunity to review the financial analysis prepared independently of those who have been involved at the coal face of planning and delivery.”

“We thank the dedicated staff at the Organising Committee and the Office for the Commonwealth Games for their effort, acknowledging that today will be a tough time for those who have worked so hard.”

“We also welcome the announced commitment to regional housing, a critical legacy component of the Games wholeheartedly supported and encouraged from the outset by CGA.”

“The Victorian Government, however, has jeopardised Melbourne and Victoria’s standing as a sporting capital of the world.”

https://commonwealthgames.com.au/cga...victoria-2026/

He is sooking Because he lost his job.