The cost of Jacinta Allan’s Commonwealth Games debacle will grow by further $62 million, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.
Speaking at the inquiry, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions confirmed it expects its total costs to now reach almost $200 million.
This is in addition to the $380 million in compensation to cancel the 2026 Games and other significant costs incurred by other Victorian Government departments and agencies, meaning the total cost of the debacle will now exceed $600 million.
It was also revealed today that consultancy firm Ernst & Young was given just six weeks to produce a business case in support of the Games. Furthermore, Ernst & Young consultants were not allowed to visit proposed event locations or speak with key stakeholders during the business case development.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said: “The inquiry continues to uncover the true extent of this costly debacle for Victorians.
“Labor asked consultants to come up with a business case without doing site visits and undertaking proper consultation with stakeholders. As a result, the report was hopelessly inadequate when it came to predicting the true costs of this debacle.
“Nobody should be surprised given the whole event was a con designed to win votes in the regions.”
