The State Budget has failed to allocate funding for infrastructure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, raising new concerns about Victoria’s ability to deliver the event.
Despite urging the government for clarity in the budget, regional councils have once again been left in the dark while a significant pipeline of works in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Morwell remain without any secure funding or clarity.
Shadow Minister for the Commonwealth Games, David Southwick, said: “Under Labor, Victoria is broke and we cannot expect to deliver a world-class event when there’s no money in the budget just three years out.
“Life is getting harder in Victoria, and the Commonwealth Games is a once in a generation chance to invest and grow regional Victoria.
“The Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan must provide certainty to regional Victorian residents and councils by delivering a fully funded Games.”