Australian state of Victoria cancels Commonwealth games

Katie59

Victoria has inflated the cost to A$7 billion that’s £3.5 billion
Clearly way out of line with real costs in the past, why that is we don’t know, probably more to hear on this topic.

They could have used existing facilities and upgraded them but Andrews wanted to build new sporting facilities and housing etc away from the in the regions.

Away from Melbourne in the regions.

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

Grantanow

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

I do question the value of a showpiece sports event that is going to cost at least £1billion in addition to all the other Olympic, world championships and other multinational events.

Grantanow

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

I don’t think that’s the reason, the commonwealth is growing rather than contracting so it must have benefits for the nations involved.
It would make more economic sense in many ways if countries who had held a huge sporting event could preserve the facilities so they could be used again, because the benefit would be greater after the initial financial outlay - even if it was just two consecutive events, say the Olympic Games in 2024 and the Commonwealth Games two years later.

I have conflicting views on it. I must say I felt quite a lot of admiration for the decision, just for the bravery of it.

Callistemon21 the games would have spread between Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, new facilities and accommodation needed to be built.

Melbourne has plenty of Sports Facilities and accommodation, the games could easily have been held there for much less.

I said similar yesterday Galaxy
We could do with a bit more leadership and robust decision making here

I have conflicting views on it. I must say I felt quite a lot of admiration for the decision, just for the bravery of it

As one whose interest in sport is nil I applaud the decision. Perhaps before they offered to put it on the state officials could have taken a vote among local taxpayers as to whether they wished to fund it.

Our Aussie friends and family live in and around Melbourne, they are all furious that the games have been cancelled.

I will not repeat their views of the State Premier, he is not popular.

Can't see the cancellation as having anything to do with perceived disinterest of the Australian public. They've always had a very strong sports culture, which is why, despite having a population of only 26m, they have had so much sporting success on the world stage.
I think it's purely an economically driven decision, reacting to the worldwide recession. I sympathise, and think they've done the right thing. They have more pressing, local funding needs to deal with.

I’ve attended the Commonwealth Games twice - in Manchester all those years ago and in Birmingham last year. A wonderful experience both times. I’d be devastated to see them disappear.

The Commonwealth may be growing though many of its members are of modest size and some are questioning their relationship to the Crown but the organisation is facing problems arising from its increased membership, a leadership deficit, and limited financial and capacity resources.

Thats a very good decision.. I think we need to waken up to these huge amounts of money wasted for an event that lasts a few hours or days ... most notably recently in our own countries with the exorbitant costs of the coronation and the event here in Scotland, paid for by us.

The question, however, is... will the money saved actually go towards helping people, as is promised? I no longer trust anything any government says!

Daniel Andrews is by far the worst Premier we have ever had. A total dictator with no financial sense whatsoever, he loves to cancel things and blame others. I am truly looking forward to when he retires, anyone would be better than him.

I think we need to waken up to these huge amounts of money wasted for an event that lasts a few hours or days ... most notably recently in our own countries with the exorbitant costs of the coronation and the event here in Scotland, paid for by us

I ould not agree more. Resources should be concentrated at home among our own people and not frittered away on vanity projects, pompous ceremonies, and bankrolling foreign wars. Not to mention housing illegals in 4 star luxury while people who have actually contributed and paid taxes in this country are in emergency accommodation.

They shouldn't have offered to host it if they didn't think there were benefits, it could be done much cheaper using existing facilities

I’m sad to hear this, it’s a great opportunity for the athletes and the local people. I suspect that is a massive cost inflated by wanting to have everything and the kitchen sink thrown in so that he could say it was too expensive. I also suspect, like the Boris bus, the chances of the money being spent directly on any of the states aims are pure fantasy.

nanna8

Daniel Andrews is by far the worst Premier we have ever had. A total dictator with no financial sense whatsoever, he loves to cancel things and blame others. I am truly looking forward to when he retires, anyone would be better than him.

Presumably he wanted to show off what Victoria could do and build fantastic new sporting facilities until he realised the real cost of doing that.
I've not heard anything good about him yet, nanna8!

As it was reported that the original estimate was going to be grossly increased, I feel Victoria is doing the right thing cancelling the event.

Especially if they do use the money to provide better service for their own people.

I find it totally wrong that sports events are allowed to continue at the total costs we hear of, when inflation is so high, we are all having to increase our defence budgets and many people are either starving or finding it very hard to pay for food, electricity, heating etc.

grandtanteJE65

As it was reported that the original estimate was going to be grossly increased, I feel Victoria is doing the right thing cancelling the event.

Especially if they do use the money to provide better service for their own people.

I find it totally wrong that sports events are allowed to continue at the total costs we hear of, when inflation is so high, we are all having to increase our defence budgets and many people are either starving or finding it very hard to pay for food, electricity, heating etc.

There is no way that the money not used for the Commonwealth Games will be used for the good of the people of Victoria.

I feel immensely sorry for the Athletes who train day in day out, sacrifice so much for the chance to represent their Country and these big sporting events. Along with the many thousands of spectators who enjoy sports, the youngsters who would have been inspired to try different sports and g on to represent their Country themselves.

I do not want to live in a world where everything enjoyable is stopped, whether they be on a big scale or a small county meet.

Sport should be encouraged, the population needs to keep fit and active.

Grantanow

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

You've said what DH and I were talking about after we heard.
We also wondered that some countries who no longer want to have our Royalty as their heads of state are looking at things in a different way now the late Queen is no longer with us. Are old Colonial ties weakening? Especially seeing the amount of money spent on C&C coronation.
Perhaps the state Governor of Victoria has more pressing problems to spend the budget on as he has said.
What do Australians think about this?
Jamaica certainly showed what they thought about Commonwealth ties when William and Kate visited.

It sounds like some gloating is going in here, whether you like the King or not, whether you like the commonwealth or not is irrelevant.

Nanatoone

It sounds like some gloating is going in here, whether you like the King or not, whether you like the commonwealth or not is irrelevant.

You might interpret it as gloating. You have no idea what my views are on politics or Royalty . Don't accuse me of things you have no idea of my views on.

Bella23

Grantanow

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

You've said what DH and I were talking about after we heard.
We also wondered that some countries who no longer want to have our Royalty as their heads of state are looking at things in a different way now the late Queen is no longer with us. Are old Colonial ties weakening? Especially seeing the amount of money spent on C&C coronation.
Perhaps the state Governor of Victoria has more pressing problems to spend the budget on as he has said.
What do Australians think about this?
Jamaica certainly showed what they thought about Commonwealth ties when William and Kate visited.

This would happen gradually over time, not an abrupt cancelling a year after saying the Games were welcome.

It is extremely disappointing for all involved and extremely poor publicity for Victoria.