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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the city is prepared to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games ditched by Victoria this week — as long as the federal government redirects funding.
Key points:
- Tom Tate says a second Commonwealth Games would provide momentum for 2032
- His deputy had ruled out hosting them earlier in the week
- The Queensland premier has ruled out the state hosting the event
It comes just two days after his deputy Donna Gates ruled out hosting the event because it took a decade of planning to successfully host the games in 2018.
"The Premier of Victoria's lemon, the Gold Coast can turn that into lemonade because that's how we roll," Cr Tate said.
"We can highlight once more that the Gold Coast is going ahead in leaps and bounds.
"It gives us the momentum for our journey towards the 2032 Olympics."
Cr Tate said Victoria's decision to cancel the games was un-Australian and could have damaged the nation's reputation.
"When an Australian government shakes hands, it's a done deal. It's not [saying] a year or so later, 'Oh my God, the cost has blown out, the deal's off', that's not an Aussie way of doing things."
Cr Tate — who has made contact with Commonwealth Games officials — said the move would need bipartisan support at a federal level.
He said Victorian funding could be redirected to the Gold Coast.
While the 2018 Commonwealth Games village is now used as private housing, Cr Tate said athletes could be housed in the city's hotels.
"We are games ready," he said.
"I feel that we can have it done, but I'm not arrogant to say game, set and match.
"There's a lot of things to do, but in that timeline I know we can deliver, and deliver well for the Gold Coast, otherwise I wouldn't do it."
He said the city would also need support from the state government.
Premier focused on Olympics
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been asked about whether the state would step in to host the games multiple times this week.
She said her focus was on the Olympics, in a statement in response to Cr Tate's comments.
"We are 100 per cent focused on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," she said.
"As I said the other day, all our efforts must remain on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
She made a similar statement on Tuesday after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews axed the games.
He said the cost had blown out from $2.6 billion to at least $6 billion.
"Even though the Gold Coast is a wonderful venue, it does have the venues and the infrastructure, it does have the transport, but we cannot afford to spend more money on another games," Ms Palaszczuk said on Tuesday.
"We are committed to the Olympics, we are focused on the Olympics, but there may be an opportunity for another state to put their hand up."
The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games cost $1.2 billion to host, while the more recent Birmingham event came in at $1.8 billion.
Breaking the contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation could be expensive.
On Wednesday, chair of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Peter Beattie said the cost of breaking the contract could be about a billion dollars.
"They do it on a regular basis with a tight contract and the contract will be difficult to get out of," Mr Beattie told Nine.
Last-minute games 'impractical'
Mark Stockwell, three-time Olympic medallist and mayor of the Gold Coast's 2018 Commonwealth Games athlete's village, said a Queensland games would be considerably cheaper than Victoria.
"It's a definite possibility and a great opportunity," he said.
"It doesn't take that long. Once your venues and facilities (sic) and you dust off the sports plans, it doesn't cost anywhere near that and it won't take anywhere near that length of time.
"Queensland is now becoming the sporting capital of Australia.
"Once you've done it once, imagine how good the Gold Coast could do it a second time?"
Olympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games Australian Team attaché Andrew Baildon said infrastructure was in place.
"I think we definitely need to have a serious conversation," he said.
"I think it would be a wonderful opportunity and I think we should have a crack at it.
"It changed the way the Gold Coast looked at itself as well, which is really good for the community."