Premier Jacinta Allan was warned of a $2 billion cost blowout to the failed 2026 Commonwealth Games four months before they were cancelled.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Inquiry into the failed Games today, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) officials have confirmed they briefed then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, of cost escalations in March this year.
In another damning development, department officials confirmed a formal budget submission was provided to the Labor Government in June this year, but was not formally considered for weeks despite officials stating an "urgent decision was required".
Premier Jacinta Allan has maintained she was only made aware of cost blowouts for the games in the weeks leading up to the formal cancellation on 18 July this year.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said: "It is now clear that Jacinta Allan knew of significant cost blowouts months, not weeks, prior to the cancellation of the games.
"Despite being aware of multi-billion dollar cost blowouts and the total inadequacy of the initial business case, Jacinta Allan kept the Victorian community in the dark for months on end.
"Premier Jacinta Allan needs to take responsibility for this debacle, and commit to fronting this inquiry to explain how this all went so wrong."
