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Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) vice-president Kereyn Smith has questioned Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews's integrity over his decision to axe the 2026 Games.
Key points:
- Kereyn Smith has expressed dismay at the lack of consultation with the Commonwealth Games Federation before Victoria made the decision
- She says assurances were made "at the highest level" that the budget for the Games was under control
- The CGF is now considering its options for a replacement host
The experienced administrator said she had never seen a decision over a major sporting event taken in this way.
"It's quite unprecedented," she told 7.30. "There's respect and there's integrity around the process and the communication … it feels to me like those things have been compromised as part of this process."
Between 2011 and 2022, Ms Smith was secretary-general of New Zealand's Olympic Committee. She chaired the oversight commission for the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games, which included face-to-face meetings with Victorian officials.
Having received a budget update last month, she questions the figures quoted by Daniel Andrews as the rationale for cancelling the Games.
"The last time there was any conversation at the board table around figures around Victoria, it was getting up towards the $3 billion conversation," Ms Smith said.
"Certainly that $6 to $7 billion was not something that we had ever heard."
According to Ms Smith, there was never doubt over whether the Games would go ahead.
"There's never been a possibility and never been a conversation about the viability of the Games," she told 7.30.
"There had been assurances at the highest level to the Commonwealth Games Federation that the budget was in hand."
Regional model
Ms Smith said there had been discussions, including at recent board meetings, about how to manage the costs of the Games.
"There was a real determination that these Games were state Games, and they were not a Melbourne Games. And they were for economic development, for jobs, for growth and for infrastructure in the region of Victoria," she said.
But Ms Smith said everyone involved was aware that this brought extra costs.
"If you have to continually build villages and venues and put up temporary venues, costs can escalate."
She describes the last meetings she attended in person in Victoria in April as "really positive".
Ms Smith says the board of the CGF was informed of Victoria's decision just over an hour before a public announcement was made by the premier on Tuesday.
It was communicated on a Zoom call with international board members.
"Most people were speechless," she said.
"The federation felt quite on the back foot. Really, right from the start."
In cancelling the Games, Premier Daniel Andrews said he felt the 2026 event would be too expensive and that money could go towards essential services, like hospitals and schools.
He said hosting the Games was "all costs and no benefit".
"I've made a lot of very difficult decisions in this job. This is not one of them," Mr Andrews told reporters. "Frankly, $6 to $7 billion for a 12-day sporting event — we're not doing that. That does not represent value for money."
Ms Smith watched some of Daniel Andrews's press conference announcing the decision.
"It was very disrespectful for the magnitude of that decision, and the significance that it has for Australian sport," she told 7.30.
"I also felt very disrespected. That was disrespectful to [the] Commonwealth Games movement."
7.30 sought an interview with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews but he was not available.
Values abandoned
According to Ms Smith, part of the shock provoked by Victoria's decision was her sense that Daniel Andrews had abandoned Commonwealth Games values.
"Gender equality for inclusivity, for seeing disabled athletes, and for demonstration of pride and heritage and culture," Ms Smith said. "I'm not sure that all of those things were at the front of his mind."
She described the original Victorian bid as "transformational", especially for Australia's First Nations people.
"I was incredibly impressed when I was in Victoria, with some of the First Nations planning, you know, and, and the reconciliation work and how those communities were going to be involved in a global event and the excitement and inspiration. That's what I thought that Victoria had signed up for."
The CGF will now consider its options for a replacement host, while it seeks compensation from Victoria.
"This is a significant undertaking. And when you sign up to games, be it Olympic or Commonwealth, there are guarantees, there are commitments, and there are contractual obligations," Ms Smith said.
"So, I guess that's why the dismay and the shock that these other parties seemingly were not even involved or consulted about the decision."
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