The State Opposition has written to Victoria’s Public Sector Commissioner, Brigid Monagle, asking her to investigate two senior public servants over the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
It follows recent evidence to a parliamentary committee by the Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Tim Ada, that he was told by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Jeremi Moule, not to inform then Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Harriet Shing, that lawyers had been engaged for the purpose of withdrawing from the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Under the Public Administration Act 2004,Department Secretaries have an obligation to advise their Minister of all matters relating to the Department. Both Secretary Ada and Secretary Moule should be investigated in light of this evidence.
If Secretary Ada’s evidence is to be accepted, there was potentially a breach of thePublic Administration Act 2004 which contributed to the Allan Government’s cover-up of the $600 million Commonwealth Games debacle.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, said: “This situation demonstrates the lengths Labor have gone to in an effort to keep their Commonwealth Games debacle a secret.
“Victorians have been humiliated on the international stage and are paying $600 million in compensation and wasted expenses. They deserve to know exactly what went wrong and who is responsible.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said: “By withholding this critical information, the Labor Government kept athletes and the community in the dark.
“Why did the head of the public service personally intervene to keep news of the pending cancellation of the games quiet? Victorians deserve to know the truth.”
