Australian state of Victoria cancels Commonwealth games

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Away from Melbourne in the regions.

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.

Excuse the typo 😉

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.

On PM (R4) they we’re talking about the possibility of the UK hosting again - either Liverpool or Birmingham 😃

Manchester benefitted from hosting the Commonwealth games. It was very exciting and we have lasting legacies in our sports facilities. No one believed it was a sensible thing to do beforehand but it was a great success and, I believe, gave London the confidence to bid for the Olympics.

biglouis

What a pity we didnt have the guts to cancel the coronation in favour of a quick flick scandi style swearing in. Plus some of the royal weddings recently. Look how those worked out!

How much did the coronation cost the UK economy?
In terms of the actual event itself, the coronation is set to be a net positive for the British economy. While the actual costs aren't disclosed, a number of media reports have estimated the cost of Operation Golden Orb — the codename for the event — at up to £100 million ($126 million).5 May 2023

The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates a £337 million ($420 million) boost from extra tourism and spending in pubs over the three-day weekend, which includes an extra public holiday on May 8.
VisitEngland, a tourism body, estimates that the boost from increased domestic travel over the weekend will be much higher at £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion).

Callistemon21

Let's save a bob or two and have a grey, grey, grey world

That’s austerity for you.
Look where it’s got us

Let's save a bob or two and have a grey, grey, grey world

Ha ha! M&H pop up in the most unlikely places!
I was just reading that M isn’t happy about H’s book.
She’s in the process of ‘distancing herself’ I believe…