JUST when it seemed it couldn’t get any worse, new layers of pain continue to emerge after the sudden scrapping of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
What was supposed to be a celebration of regional Victoria has become a financial ball and chain as families desperately battle to make ends meet.
If there was a gold medal awarded for wastage, it might just go to the Andrews fovernment for its swanky Commonwealth Games head office at the top end of town.
The “mission control” building won’t be needed, of course, as the rug has been pulled from the regional Games.
But taxpayers have already been slugged close to $700,000 for refurbishments for plush offices with views of the Dandenong Ranges and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
It’s just another example of Andrews government incompetence and arrogance punishing Victorians.
Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to apologise for shattering the dreams of athletes amid the fallout for the Games and there is no sign of any remorse as wastage and broken promises roll on.
The overblown renovation of an office that won’t be used affects us all.
It is a bitter pill as we come to terms with the loss of a sporting event that would have been an enormous opportunity for regional Victoria.
The Games were expected to create thousands of jobs, including 600 before the start date.
There were predictions of almost 4000 new jobs during the Games, and 3000 after the closing ceremony.
All that is gone.
In its place is a regional package of support – a package of promises that now looks doomed.
The Latrobe Valley has been hit harder than anywhere.
The Andrews government had promised a significant boost to housing in the area as part of the now-ditched plan to bring the Games to regional Victoria.
The key was an athletes’ village, to be built in Morwell, to house as many as 1000 participants before being converted into affordable housing.
Now, there’s no deadline and seemingly no hope of it happening.
What a waste, and the thought of that Games office on Exhibition Street in the “Paris End” of Melbourne makes it even more painful.
The view from the swish eighth-floor office might be nice, but try telling that to hardworking regional Victorians facing a far more bleak outlook.
Emma Kealy
Deputy Leader of The Nationals
