Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am the federal member for Bendigo and the proud representative of Bendigo. Bendigo was to be one of the host cities for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The previous speaker is right; the key host cities were Bendigo, Geelong and Ballarat. They are the big three regional cities of Victoria. But there were some other events that would occurred in Gippsland and Shepparton, just to round out that it would have been a regional games.

When it was first announced that the Commonwealth Games were coming to regional Victoria, it was predicted it would generate about $3 billion for the Victorian economy. Numbers in this debate are important: it would have generated and contributed $3 billion towards the economy. Yet we found out earlier this year—and this was the reason for cancelling the games—that it would cost $6 billion to put the games on. It is no wonder people in my electorate did not disagree with the Premier's decision to cancel the games. A $6 billion spend for a $3 billion return—the numbers just don't stack up.

I repeat what I just said: not one person in my electorate has told me they disagreed with the Premier's decision to cancel the games. Since the cancellation, including on the day of the cancellation, I have met with sporting groups. The Bendigo East Swimming Club didn't blink; they said the figure was pretty outrageous. What they want is support for their swimming club. They simply wanted an electric blanket to help heat the pool so they could extend their swimming season. Other groups in my electorate—bowls, which we were going to host in Bendigo—said they are relieved the games have been cancelled because it means they can get on with the discussion about a regional bowls hub in Bendigo, like they have in Shepparton and other parts of regional Victoria. Time and time again I heard from sporting groups in my electorate—who you'd think would be the biggest champions of the Commonwealth Games—that, secretly, quietly, they're relieved because now they feel the council can focus on their clubs and infrastructure needs. This is the crux of it: what could we do with that $6 billion in terms of regional sports infrastructure? There is the upgrading of change rooms, lighting and ovals, and making sure we can actually get the infrastructure we need.

Why my city is okay with the decision the Victorian government has made is all the permanent infrastructure will still go ahead. Our showgrounds will still get their upgrades. All the other facilities that have been committed to will still get their upgrades. Most importantly, the money is being advanced to build social and community housing. People in my electorate desperate for housing will no longer have to wait for the Comm Games to happen and for the athlete's village to be repurposed into social and community housing. That will no longer have to happen. People will be able to access social and community housing sooner. This is another really big reason why my electorate is relieved and not critical of the government for cancelling the Comm Games.

I had people in my electorate—renters—telling me that they were really nervous about being evicted from their homes in the lead-up to the Comm Games. They were worried that their landlords might put their properties up on Airbnb, because accommodation is a real factor in hosting the Comm Games. That's what people were worried about. I held a housing forum—not about the Comm Games but four weeks prior to this decision—and the same subject came up over and over again. People were nervous. They were nervous about what was going to happen in the lead-up to the Comm Games. What that points to is my electorate, like all the other regional electorates and members, know that this is not the right time to be hosting such an expensive Comm Games.

It also puts these international competitions on notice. They have to be more realistic with their price tags for countries hosting these events. These event costs are blowing out. It's something we need to have a really honest conversation about with people in our communities, internationally and as governments. What else could we be doing on the ground in terms of local infrastructure with this money? Whether it be sporting upgrades or desperately needed housing, now's not the time for a $6 billion exercise on the Commonwealth Games.

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