Commonwealth Games 2026 - Victoria says “Nope”

[PomBstard]

Seems to have caught a few by surprise, apparently costs have been recalculated to be $7Bn rather than the original $2.7Bn…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-18/victoria-co...

Mixed reactions, but does seem a bit harsh to pull out entirely when there’s so many sports facilities already available in/around Melbourne anyway.

[anonymous-user]

It's time we move away from this crazy model of building new facilities and accomodation for minor events like this.

It should be re-use existing infrastructure including student style accomodation out of term.

[georgezippy]

Back to Birmingham then?

[Jader1973]

It would cost a normal person $2 billion but add in the “Government project” tax applied by Dan’s Union mates and it blows out.

Anyway, regional VIC doesn’t matter - much better for the country’s highest paid Premier to spend $2 billion in metro Melbourne buying more votes. I’m sure he’ll find a road or a tunnel to build…or maybe even a tram or rail line to the airport.

[PomBstard]

Jader1973 said:

It would cost a normal person $2 billion but add in the “Government project” tax applied by Dan’s Union mates and it blows out.

Anyway, regional VIC doesn’t matter - much better for the country’s highest paid Premier to spend $2 billion in metro Melbourne buying more votes. I’m sure he’ll find a road or a tunnel to build…or maybe even a tram or rail line to the airport.

Not a fan of Dan, then…

However, I’m not sure why he’s booted the games entirely as the existing kit could surely work, and would require a fraction of the cost to ensure to standard.

Regardless, to have announced this with no Plan B, without confirming the other States couldn’t host or play a part, is crackers.

As for the Comm Games being a minor event, whilst not as important as World Champs or Olympics, it is a multinational stage that allows many athletes who might not get to World or Olympic standard, an opportunity to compete at that level, or as a stepping stone to the very top level.

[suthol]

I suspect the spiralling costs across the world due to covid have blown the budget out of the water since the original announcement was made.

I was talking to the local importer of MNR kits last weekend and at the moment he's not bringing any in from the UK

In 2019 it was around $3.5K to bring a kit in, today it's just north of $12K

The purchase price from MNR hasn't moved all that much but the shipping has gone through the roof.

Fast forward projections for a few years and everything get rather ugly.

How many really believe the corporate world will drop their prices if the situation eases.

A loaf of bread at the local bakery was $2.70 in June 2020 when we moved here, today I paid $4.00 for the same loaf.

[Wills2]

suthol said:

I suspect the spiralling costs across the world due to covid have blown the budget out of the water since the original announcement was made.

I was talking to the local importer of MNR kits last weekend and at the moment he's not bringing any in from the UK

In 2019 it was around $3.5K to bring a kit in, today it's just north of $12K

The purchase price from MNR hasn't moved all that much but the shipping has gone through the roof.

Global container shipping rates are back down to pre pandemic levels around US $1,500 down from the peak of $10,000

[anonymous-user]

Birmingham should just say we'll do it again... Barely any need for new infrastructure, just a few updated uniforms for the volunteers which will be paid for by merchandise sales

[Mr Squarekins]

pablo said:

Birmingham should just say we'll do it again... Barely any need for new infrastructure, just a few updated uniforms for the volunteers which will be paid for by merchandise sales

Just wheel out Ozzy Osbourne and the bull, apparently also called Ozzy.

[abzmike]

pablo said:

Birmingham should just say we'll do it again... Barely any need for new infrastructure, just a few updated uniforms for the volunteers which will be paid for by merchandise sales

They’d still make it cost 2 billion quid.

[Nethybridge]

Seems indicative of Australia's recent lack of enthusiasm for anything to do
with commonwealth or monarchy.

If they are unhappy they can become a republic and leave the
commonwealth as Ireland did in 1949, as with the ROI, no great loss