The Nationals have labelled the regional Commonwealth Games a con job after Premier Daniel Andrews and Games Delivery Minister Jacinta Allen humiliated Victorians by scrapping the 2026 Games.
“Today’s announcement is embarrassing for Victorians, and another massive blow for the Valley community and indeed the whole of regional Victoria,” The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said.
“Just three weeks ago, the Premier said the Commonwealth Games would benefit regional Victoria to the tune of $3 billion, but in cancelling the event today he said it was “all cost and no benefit”. What are we supposed to believe?
“Labor has cheated the Valley time and time again, and Daniel Andrews has left a trail of failed investments and broken promises.
“We have repeatedly been told the athlete’s village in Morwell would be repurposed and used as social housing – infrastructure that is desperately needed in the Valley as we experience an unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis.
“Labor simply cannot be believed any longer as it continues to break promises because of its own incompetence.
“Victorians continue to be punished by a tired, corrupt and incompetent government.”
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said once again, this appalling Andrews Labor Government has fallen on its sword of financial and project mismanagement – it is an embarrassment for Victoria and another devastating blow to regional Victoria.
“The Andrews Government touted the Commonwealth Games as the magical golden ticket for Gippsland, spruiking the games as sign of its commitment to our country communities,” Ms Bath said.
“The truth is Labor’s regional games were nothing more than another costly pie in the sky vote grab.
“The Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Harriet Shing spruiked in State Parliament that Labor would leave a lasting legacy for Gippsland – but now all we have is another failed promise and locals are tired of Labor’s con jobs.
“The legacy Minister Shing and the Andrews Government has delivered Gippsland is waste and mismanagement.
“The Premier stated all sporting facilities would be delivered, but he dodged questions around the delivery timeframes, stating “we’ll have more to say about that” – we have been given spin, deflection and projects pushed into the never, never.
“The scrapping of the Commonwealth Games over “cost issues” is further evidence that Victoria is broke, and Labor cannot be trusted to manage money.”
