The Senate inquiry investigating Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games handed down their interim report within the Senate at present, revealing para-athletes’ pathway to Paris 2028 Olympics has been destroyed and native communities have been ignored by federal and state Labor governments.
Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie stated it was clear that state and federal Labor governments had not meaningfully engaged with native communities.
Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie stated it was clear that State and Federal Governments had thrown into doubt the planning, timeline and scope of infrastructure promised to Victorian communities.
“In Victoria, the missed opportunities of the Commonwealth Games have been devastating,” Senator McKenzie stated.
“The inquiry heard from some incredibly brave witnesses in Victoria who gave evidence that the Andrews Labor Government had failed to ask them what infrastructure and planning their communities needed, with some stating they felt ignored by a city-centric Government.
“In Queensland, the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Gabba Redevelopment has left the local community feeling left out of the decision making process and concerned for the future.
“The hosting of Commonwealth and Olympic Games must be for the Australian communities it represents, and not for the government of the day’s pet projects.”
Shadow Minister for Sport Senator Anne Ruston stated the inquiry uncovered the distinctive drawback that the cancellation of the 2026 Victorian Commonwealth Games has created for our athletes, and significantly our para-athletes.
“This Inquiry has been fundamental in providing athletes, sporting bodies and communities with a voice following the incredibly disappointing cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Senator Ruston stated.
“As the CEO of Paralympics Australia testified, the Commonwealth Games are critical for para-athletes to classify for other major international sporting events – You can’t be what you can’t see, and the cancellation of 2026 has created a significant missed opportunity to inspire and encourage Australians living with disability.
“Instead of standing up for our hardworking athletes and para-athletes, the Albanese Labor Government has stuck its head in the sand. It was astounding to hear that the Minister for Sport has not reached out to Commonwealth Games Australia, even following community momentum towards an Australian solution.”
Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Senator Matthew Canavan stated Dan Andrews’ cancellation of the Commonwealth Games was not the Federal Government’s fault however with Australia’s fame on the road the Australian Government ought to attempt to assist repair it.
“It is shocking that we are seeing more proactivity from the Gold Coast Mayor than the Federal Government to try to find a solution. The least the Federal Government could do is meet with local and state governments and see what can be done,” Senator Canavan stated.
“The Commonwealth Games is of special importance to Pacific Island nations so we should do everything we can to keep the Commonwealth Games in Australia. We should not die wondering on this.
“The Queensland Government needs to do a better job to bring local communities on side with the Games. It would not be a good outcome to have local communities protesting while the Games are on. We have 9 years to build a strong partnership with these communities so there should be no excuses not to make sure all Queenslanders support the Games.”
The report additionally discovered that the Victorian Government actively labored to hinder the inquiry and the engagement of different witnesses after the Government declined to take part.
The remaining report for the Inquiry is due on December 6, 2023.
A hyperlink to the interim report might be discovered right here:
