Staff employed by the Allan Labor Government to organise the now non-existent 2026 Commonwealth Games are continuing to be paid by taxpayers, it has been revealed today.
More than 50 staff within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions have been put on indefinite paid leave while their exit packages are being negotiated.
These wage costs come on top of more $11 million in wages paid by the Victoria 2026 organising committee to 30 June 2023 and $380 million in compensation payments for cancelling the Games. The total cost of the debacle is expected to be at least $600 million.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said: “Again and again the Premier has refused to tell Victorians about the true cost of the Commonwealth Games debacle.
“On what we do know, more than half a billion dollars will be wasted on a non-existent 2026 Commonwealth Games, while other states are eyeing off many of Victoria’s major events in the wake of the reputational damage inflicted.
“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, taxpayers will miss out on the economic benefit of the Games while still having to pay for the cancellation, which could have been better spent on vital hospitals, roads, schools and more housing.”
