The Select Committee investigating the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games handed down its final report heavily criticising the Allan Government for its incompetence and failures to undertake due diligence.
The blame was placed on the current Premier Jacinta Allan as the architect, along with the former Premier Daniel Andrews.
The report said Premier Jacinta Allan refused to cooperate with the Inquiry, avoiding parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath MP who served on the Committee said the Commonwealth Games cancellation was one of the most botched government projects in the state’s history, inflicting financial loss and reputational damage.
“The Commonwealth Games was a terrible hoax,” said Ms Bath.
“The government’s business case to justify hosting this major sporting event was overwhelmingly under cooked and devoid of substance.
“From bid to cancellation, the Games’ organisation was chaotic and flawed.
“There was no consultation with regional sporting organisations or local government, highlighting Labor’s arrogance.
“Jacinta Allan’s central role and lack of due diligence directly led to the Games cancellation – it is unfathomable that she’s now the Victorian Premier.
“The fiasco cost Victorians a whopping $589 million but undoubtedly the economic impact and reputational damage is far greater.
“Regional Victoria communities bore the brunt after so much was promised but so little was delivered.
“There was no evidence that Labor investigated a pared back or Melbourne based games – it simply handed Scotland $200 million to take the Games off Victoria.
“The Comm Games quickly became ‘Labor’s Con Games’.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage major projects and regional Victorians paid the price.”
The Committee’s final report can be found here.
Audio-Visual – Link to Ms Bath’s contribution in parliament on Commonwealth Games report
