Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett alleges that the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria was primarily due to security concerns.
The claim comes after Premier Daniel Andrews announced the cancellation just one year after agreeing to host the event, citing cost blowouts as the reason. However, Kennett contends that the Victoria Police lacked the resources to provide security across multiple regional locations, leading to the cancellation. He challenges the premier to provide evidence of the cost blowouts and calls for transparency regarding the decision’s financial implications.
According to Jeff Kennett, the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria was largely driven by the government’s inability to ensure security for the event in multiple regional locations. He argues that the Victoria Police expressed concerns about their capacity to provide adequate security, given the lack of accommodations for officers and insufficient manpower to cover all venues on a daily basis.
He challenges Andrews to produce documentation regarding the increased cost projections, emphasizing the significant difference between the initially estimated $2.5 billion and the reported $6-7 billion.
Kennett also highlights the potential reputational damage caused by canceling the games, as Victoria’s status as a major events capital has been tarnished. He suggests that moving the event to Melbourne, which already has the necessary infrastructure and facilities, could have been a viable alternative.
He raises concerns about Victoria’s financial situation, including its increasing debt, and questions the feasibility of other major projects, such as the suburban rail loop, given the state’s financial constraints.
-Sky News-
