Martin Cameron – Real extent of Con Games debacle revealed
Thursday 21 March 2024
The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has slammed the Allan Labor Government after a damning Victorian Auditor-General (VAGO) report exposed the real extent of the Commonwealth Games debacle.
The VAGO report found then Minister for Commonwealth Games, Jacinta Allan, knew the $6.9 billion costing to host the event was wrong, and was “overstated and not transparent”.
It was also confirmed Victorian taxpayers will foot the $589 million bill for Labor’s cancellation of the Games, and that initial cost-benefit analysis used to commit to the event underestimated the costs and overestimated the benefits.
“The Commonwealth Games was spruiked as a huge boon for the Latrobe Valley and regional Victoria more broadly, but the VAGO report has confirmed we were being misled all along,” Mr Cameron said.
“At the inquiry last week we heard from businesses who invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in good faith to prepare for the Games, all to have the rug pulled out from underneath them.
“There is no sign of any of the legacy projects promised for the Latrobe Valley, and all we have received is platitudes and empty promises.
“The Games cancellation has cost Victorian taxpayers nearly $600 million dollars, and Jacinta Allan must be held accountable for her part in this debacle.
“Labor can’t manage money, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”