The Victorian Liberals and Nationals today moved to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Andrews Government's Commonwealth Games scandal.
Two weeks on from the Andrews Government's humiliating decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Victorians are still no closer to understanding how this occurred, what it will cost and who will take responsibility.
The Andrews Government has refused to answer basic questions as to why the Games were expanded beyond their original scope, the source of their $7 billion costings claims or address accusations of political interference and pork-barrelling.
Negotiations on what it will cost to tear up the contract have also stalled, with Victorian taxpayers facing a more than a $1 billion payout bill.
Today, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Georgie Crozier, moved a motion to establish a select committee to inquire into and report on the 2026 Commonwealth Games with the following Terms of Reference:
(1) a Select Committee of nine members be appointed to inquire into, consider and report on the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the progress of the regional infrastructure build, including but not limited to —
a. the potential failures in governance, probity and procurement processes in the Victorian Government's bid, contract, and termination of the 2026 Commonwealth Games;
b. the impacts of the contract termination of the Commonwealth Games on Victoria's reputation, business community, tourism, and major events;
c. the Victorian Government advice received from government departments, councils, agencies, consultants, and contractors;
d. the potential of undue influence by the executive on the independence of the public service;
e. the timeline, progress and budget of the Victorian Government's regional infrastructure and housing build;
f. the impact on community, social, amateur, and professional sport in Victoria;
g. any other relevant matter;
(2) the committee provide an interim report by 30 April 2024 and a final report by April 2025;
(3) the committee will consist of three members from the Government nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, three members from the Liberal-National Coalition nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and three members from among the remaining members in the Council;
(4) the members will be appointed by lodgement of the names with the President within seven calendar days of the Council agreeing to this resolution;
(5) the first meeting of the Committee will be held within one week of members names being lodged with the President; and
(6) the Committee may proceed to the despatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, said Victorians deserve to know the truth about the Andrews Government's Commonwealth Games debacle.
"The Andrews Government's Commonwealth Games scandal has humiliated Victoria on the international stage and will leave taxpayers with a more than $1 billion compensation bill. Victorians deserve to know how this situation occurred and who is responsible," Mr Pesutto said.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Georgie Crozier, said the inquiry would hold the Andrews Government to account for its costly mismanagement.
"Getting to the bottom of the Andrews Government's costly and humiliating Commonwealth Games scandal is in the interests of all Victorians," Ms Crozier said.
"The Liberals and Nationals' inquiry will get the answers the Andrews Government refuses to give, including who is responsible, what it will cost and how it all went so wrong."
