More than 48 hours after it cancelled the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Andrews Government is still refusing to apologise for betraying regional Victoria by breaking a key election promise.
Shadow Minister for Commonwealth Games David Southwick today visited Geelong with Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Sam Groth to meet with local community and sporting representatives.
Geelong was one of the Victorian regional cities scheduled to host events in 2026 but has been left high and dry after Labor pulled the plug on regional Victoria on Tuesday.
Mr Southwick said: “This is a bitter blow for regional Victoria which will miss out on important jobs, infrastructure and tourism opportunities and our regions have every reason to feel betrayed by Labor.
“Geelong is our biggest regional city and one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and deserves better. It’s also a blow for local business and sporting groups which were looking forward to the massive boost provided by the Games.
“The Andrews Government promised it could deliver the Games within budget, but now says they must be cancelled all together due to the cost blowing out to at least $7 billion – more than three times the cost of the most recent Birmingham Games.
“Regional Victoria has been neglected by Labor for too long and at the very least Daniel Andrews and his Ministers need to get out to the regions, front up to voters and apologise for breaking this key election promise.
“Heads must roll, starting with Deputy Premier and Commonwealth Games Delivery Minister Jacinta Allan, who is guilty of gross incompetence and simply must go.”
