Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

A letter has been received from Senator Ruston:

Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:

The failure of the Albanese Labor Government to stand up for our incredible athletes and stop Premier Daniel Andrews from cancelling the 2026 Commonwealth Games; and the damage to our international sovereignty and sporting reputation resulting from the cancellation of this event.

Is the proposal supported?

More than the number of senators required by the standing orders having risen in their places—

With the concurrence of the Senate, the clerks will set the clock in line with the informal arrangements around speaking times made by the whips.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

It's with a very, very heavy heart I rise tonight, as a proud senator for the great state of Victoria, a fantastic state known for its proud sporting heritage and traditions. In fact, our capital is known as the sporting capital of this country. We host international events such as the Australian Open, the Grand Prix—I could go on and on; we are renowned—the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation and indeed the world—

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The AFL Grand Final!

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

And the AFL Grand Final, thank you—go Saints! We are very, very good at hosting international events. But I rise tonight to speak on this matter of public importance: the failure of the Anthony Albanese Labor government to stand up for our incredible athletes and stop Premier Daniel Andrews from cancelling the 2026 Commonwealth Games; and the damage to our international sovereignty and sporting reputation resulting from the cancellation of the event.

On 18 July this year, our national—not just Victoria's, not just Melbourne's, but our national—reputation as a sporting and business capital was dealt an enormous blow by the sudden decision of the Labor state premier to cancel the Commonwealth Games. This was an unprecedented decision. Only World War II had stopped the Commonwealth Games prior to this. This decision by Premier Andrews was one he doesn't regret, one he didn't even think about, if you take his public comments as he's said. It didn't give him a moment's concern. But I can tell that you the very proud residents and local communities of Geelong, of Bendigo, of Ballarat, of Shepparton and of the La Trobe Valley were very much looking forward to being on the global stage and showcasing what they could do when it comes to hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The Labor Party—for those playing along at home—will stand up tonight and talk about: 'It's the Comm Games. Who cares?' I'll tell you who cares: the young Australian athletes who left yesterday and today for Trinidad and Tobago for the Youth Commonwealth Games. It turns out the sports minister—I don't know if she's even posted about it—doesn't care. The Commonwealth Games is part of a pipeline of events that, if you are a young athlete in this country, you look forward to participating in and competing in against the best in the world. Particularly, if you're a netballer, it's the premier event—and good luck to the Diamonds during the World Cup at the moment—as indeed it is for our track athletes.

You heard Senator Wong stand up today during question time: 'This was a decision for the Premier.' Yes, but it has national and international implications. That is why you had the United Kingdom's sports minister on our local TVs here. These are our allies in more than just Commonwealth sporting events, in more than just the Ashes we challenged them to over this last month. These are our strategic partners as well, and our sporting alliances bring economic benefits and diplomatic benefits.

The Premier can wake up and, with no evidence, claim that the costs have blown out—not table a document and not go through a public process. Indeed, the Commonwealth Games Federation rejects his figures. This is a state government which has continually undermined the rollout of these games, which is why this chamber set up a Senate inquiry in April to question what was going wrong with the Victorian Commonwealth Games. Now we know. We know the Premier was just planning a cheap political trick to win a state election last year. He's been called out by the Commonwealth Games Federation, no less.

The National Party, including Martin Cameron and Gaelle Broad in Bendigo, have stood up for their local communities and have championed the hosting of the games. It's up to Anthony Albanese to bring the premiers together and find an Australian solution.

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Acting Deputy President, before I begin, thank you for the way you managed the chamber during the previous debate. It's really disappointing when conversations that are important to our national conversation descend into those types of arguments.

I want to put on the record that when it comes to the decisions of the Victorian government and the debate that we're about to have, it's very clear from our government's point of view that this was a decision of the Victorian government. It's disappointing, and we've put that on the record too. It's disappointing news for Victorians and it's disappointing for athletes, coaches and sporting fans alike, who were looking forward to Australia's Commonwealth Games. But we maintain that it's a little odd for those opposite to bring this as the first matter of public importance for this sitting week and to bring it to the federal Senate where, it has to be said, we don't have much power over the decisions of the Victorian government, and it is clear that this was a decision of the Victorian government.

The Victorian government didn't engage with the former Australian government during the bid process, nor in relation to its withdrawal. However, we are prepared to work in good faith, and the Prime Minister had agreed in principle to the standard major events provisions that fall within Australian government responsibilities. We were willing to do what was required from the Australian government's point of view. But we also know this is a decision that was made by the Victorian government. It's an odd thing for those opposite to bring it here and somehow insinuate that our government had anything to do with the decision itself or could, as the motion says, 'stop Premier Daniel Andrews from cancelling the games'. I'm not sure what mechanism those opposite would like us to use and I am not sure at what cost to taxpayers those opposite are referring to. But it is very concerning that those opposite are trying to make this into a political debate in the national parliament. We have so many issues that we are dealing with across the country.

I think it is interesting that those on the other side of the chamber are suggesting that somehow our international reputation has been damaged by the cancelling of this event. We know that those opposite don't have a great track record when it comes to our international reputation, whether it is Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition, or former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, overheard joking at Pacific Island nations having water lapping at their doors, or whether it's the debacle with the French submarines, when the former Prime Minister lied to the Prime Minister of France. Even the former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed this was his assessment of the situation. No-one can forget that, when it comes to Australia's international standing, nobody did more damage than those opposite when it came to their 22 failed policies on climate change. We on this side will not sit here and take lectures from those opposite about our international reputation, which, it must be said, has finally been restored under the Albanese government.

Finally, it's also the height of hypocrisy to be lectured about community sporting infrastructure and how important it is to communities by the minister responsible for sports rorts and by the previous government responsible for sports rorts, unapologetic about sports rorts, a program that systematically undermined the ability of governments to actually fund sporting infrastructure and diverted funds away from deserving community organisations. Senator McKenzie referred to 'cheap political tricks' used to win elections. Well, that's exactly what the former minister used sports rorts for.

So we welcome any debate about the funding of community infrastructure, because nobody has forgotten those colour-coded spreadsheets. No-one has forgotten sports rorts. When it comes to what the Albanese government is doing, we're supporting our athletes, we're making sure we are funding the Olympic Games and we are getting on with the job.

Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. In fact, I'm pleased that Premier Dan Andrews had the foresight to cancel the games and invest the money in the community where it is actually needed. I wish other premiers had the guts to do the same thing for other sporting events such as the Brisbane Olympics. Spending billions of dollars on a 12-day sporting event is not tenable when you have people sleeping on the street or people who have to choose between heating their homes and eating. This money would be much better spent on health, housing, education, on providing infrastructure, fixing roads or on investing in our regions. I could go on with other areas where it could be better spent.

Hosting the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics does not bring all the benefits that people claim. The boost to tourism is not to a scale that's needed to justify the spend. These events notoriously run over budget and, in many cases, the locals don't want them there. The most extreme example is the 1976 summer Olympics in Montreal. Montreal actually ended up paying off the debt in 2006 that they incurred by putting on this event in 1976. That is 40 years that it took them to pay off the debt from putting on the Montreal Olympics, 40 years of money being taken away from critical government infrastructure and services. While this is obviously an example of things going very wrong, this event marked a new era for big sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics or, in fact, the FIFA World Cup. To host these sporting events, bids became bigger and bigger, more money needed to be spent and more infrastructure was promised around these events. This is a gamble that rarely pays off. In 2010, India budgeted $250 million for the Commonwealth Games, and that actually ended up costing them $11 billion.

So I think it was a very wise move on the part of the Victorian government to quit while they were ahead and spend this money where it was actually needed the most. Events like this are important. It is an opportunity for unity and for Australians to cheer on their favourite athletes; however, the suggestion that this cancellation damages our international sovereignty is a bit of a joke, and I'm not going to stand here and be lectured by those opposite and others about international sovereignty and damage to it. We are in a cost-of-living crisis and I'm pleased that no other state or territory government has chosen to put education, housing or health funding at risk or on the backburner for the Commonwealth Games.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a great shame and disappointment for the regional communities of Victoria that the Commonwealth Games will not be going ahead in their towns. It would've been a source of pride for Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, the Gippsland area and other regions across Victoria to host such an event—the first time it would've been hosted by country towns of that size.

The issue before us as the federal parliament, though, is that, in terms of the rest of the world, it was not really Bendigo or Ballarat or Geelong hosting the Commonwealth Games. The rest of the world probably had not heard of our detailed plans for the Commonwealth Games. The rest of the world thought Australia was hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026. For the first time I know of a country has reneged on its promise to host a major sporting event such as a Commonwealth Games, an Olympics or a soccer world cup. It is such a shame and so disappointing for that to happen in this country given that, until this shocking decision from the Victorian Premier, we were known around the world for our capacity and ability to hold these types of events with great efficiency, great success and great harmony with the rest of the world.

I particularly dispute some of the other contributions that have been made here which have said that somehow it's a complete waste of money to hold these events. They are great events to build our nation, our community and our country. I still fondly remember the Sydney Olympics in my formative years. It was a fantastic event for our nation and something that I think most Australians are very proud that we successfully hosted here in this country. I hope we are similarly proud of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

Unfortunately, this decision now has sullied our reputation for hosting these events. It was the Victorian Premier who promised these games. It wasn't imposed on him. It wasn't forced on him. He hasn't had to try to fix a problem not of his own making. He promised this less than a year ago, ahead of the Victorian election. Even then he should've known. He should've done his sums better, and he didn't. It's a terrible outcome for the Victorian people and for the Australian people.

Given that national implication and how it has harmed our national reputation, it really is incumbent on the national Prime Minister and the federal government to try to fix things. We're not standing here claiming that it was the Albanese government that got us into this mess, but as the national government it is their job to help us get out of this mess. This 'wash their hands', Pontius Pilate approach to the problem is not good enough for the reputation of the country. When you're the Prime Minister, the buck stops with you. Not every problem that comes across your desk is yours, but you wanted the big job, you got the big title on the desk, so you should have to come up to the plate here and have some answers for the Australian people about how we're going to solve these things.

If nothing else, the Commonwealth Games association has been completely left in the lurch and, as one of the larger members of that association, one of the most successful sporting nations in that organisation, we surely have some responsibility to help see a successful 2026 Commonwealth Games proceed. As a country, I think we have the responsibility, given it was one of our states that promised to hold it and has reneging on that promise. Even if the games are not to be held in this country, given it's only a few years away, surely we have some responsibility here to at least help and assist the Commonwealth Games to continue. It's a great institution, and we want it to succeed in the future. I think this chamber should definitely be putting pressure on the Victorian government and doing what it can to help fix up this terrible mess of Dan Andrews's making.

I chair the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, and we're conducting an inquiry into the Commonwealth Games at the moment. We were doing it before this shocking decision, and we are going to continue to pursue that inquiry. We want to hear directly from the people of regional Victoria, who've been completely dudded by this decision, in a way that Dan Andrews certainly hasn't. One of the most shocking things about this decision is that there was no consultation. There was no discussion with people impacted by it; it was just dropped into the media like a grenade. We will consult with those people, but we will also try to come up with solutions to help make sure that the Commonwealth Games in 2026, wherever they are held, are a success. It is a great event. It has a proud heritage and history, and we, as a country that has participated in that history, have a responsibility to make sure it continues to be a success in the future.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll start by saying that I completely understand the disappointment of athletes and coaches about the Commonwealth Games no longer being held in Victoria. It's a decision the Victorian government made after considering all the facts on the table, and we understand the decision. I can also tell you that sport will survive and indeed thrive in Victoria and in this country going forward. This government is committed to our athletes, to our coaches and to our training staff. Our commitment to sport is without equal. We will continue to ensure that our athletes have every opportunity to compete at home and abroad.

There are no less than 22 major sporting events coming down the green and gold highway right now, all leading to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics, whether it's the Rugby World Cup, the Netball World Cup, the Men's T20 World Cup or even the BMX World Championship, and we are lucky to be hosting four Women's World Cup events across the next five years. I think it's safe to say that our international sporting reputation is well and truly safe and intact.

We are helping Australians excel on the sporting field at every level and in every postcode, from the playground to the podium. Only last week we announced an additional $20 million in funding for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund. This investment in our athletes will help Australians qualify, and it will assist with transport costs for the games. This is a funding injection that will help teams like our wheelchair rugby team, who needed support to reach the World Cup in October.

We know that sport is bigger than any one event. Ultimately, our sporting events need to be good investments that provide value for money and lasting benefits to the community. I'd like to take the opportunity to commend the Victorian government for their focus on continuing to deliver lasting investments in housing and infrastructure for regional communities. This is a focus and commitment that the federal government shares.

The hypocrisy of those opposite really can't go without mention today. They demand to see more action on the cost-of-living crisis, and now they ask that billions of taxpayer dollars be spent on the Commonwealth Games. They insist repeatedly that sports and politics should not be mixed, and then they wish to play politics here in the chamber today with what is a state government decision.

Rather than playing politics, we are currently focused on hosting the largest women's sporting event in the world—the FIFA Women's World Cup—and we are hosting it very successfully, I might add. The Matildas opening match reached almost five million people. We committed more than $84 million to support the bidding, delivery and legacy of the Women's World Cup here in Australia. It's broken records already in terms of crowd attendance, the number of countries competing and the number of spectators watching at home and around the world. It's raised the profile of women's sport to an unprecedented level not just here in Australia but also internationally. It's the kind of event that we know will have impacts for generations to come, on the girls and boys who are inspired to put on the green and gold.

I finish by saying: go Matildas, tonight. We had a sell-out crowd for the friendly in Melbourne against France, in Victoria, and we have another sellout tonight. News of the demise of Victorian and Australian sport is greatly exaggerated by those opposite. Again, I reject the assertions of disaster of those opposite. This was no doubt a tough decision for our athletes but I know that Australia will land a successful Commonwealth Games campaign with our athletes, just as I know Victoria will continue to be the home of Australian sport from schools to stadiums and everywhere in between. The Victorian government have given the reasons for the decision they've made. It remains a state matter. I can tell you: Victorian sport will survive and thrive.

Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

If money management was a Commonwealth Games event, Victorian Premier Andrews would finish stone-cold last. The Premier deserves no credit for cancelling the games. He should never have bid for the games in the first place. Victoria was already broke—and still is broke—when Premier Andrews announced his intention to host the event. The Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews, has never been in a hole that he did not insist he could make deeper. He's useless. He insisted on adding another $2.6 billion of debt by hosting the games. He now says the games were going to cost $6 billion—or was it $7 billion? Even today the Premier can't nail down the cost to within $1,000 million.

Now the whole thing has been cancelled, Premier Andrews behaves like he deserves a medal. He doesn't. Was the Commonwealth Games a ploy by the Premier to convince people in the regions to vote for him? It could have been. After the voters have put him on the podium, he just walks away from the games contract at a cost to the taxpayer yet to be disclosed. Small businesses invested in anticipation of these games. It should have been a boon for country towns. Instead, they are the victims of the Premier's incompetence.

Premier Andrews has embarrassed the state. He has embarrassed the nation. He is the most irresponsible, reckless premier in Australia's history. The man's face gives me PTSD. I can't stand the guy.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

As a Geelong based Victorian senator, I am absolutely appalled by Premier Andrews's decision in concert with the Albanese government. We have brought this matter of public importance to the Senate to call on this government to take a stand for Victorian regional communities. What we have seen so far from this government is spineless, is callous and is demonstrating no care or regard for regional communities—Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland, Shepparton. It has treated regional Victoria with absolute contempt. It is a shocking indictment on the spinelessness of this pathetic Albanese government that it will not stand up to this deceptive, callous Victorian premier and say, 'This is not good enough.' It's not good enough.

Acting Deputy President Walsh, you just made a contribution. You've said you don't think this is going to hurt our international reputation. I have to say to you: have you not been watching what's been going on? Have you not read the papers?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson, resume your seat. Senator Ciccone, do you have a point of order?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I do. The remarks by Senator Henderson are clearly a reflection on your contribution just before, and I'd say that's against the standing orders, and she should withdraw.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

It does seem slightly irregular to be directing those comments to the chair, but I'll just seek advice from the clerk.

Senator Henderson, just for the convenience of the chamber, could you move on from referencing my former role a few minutes ago.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Walsh, I wasn't referring to you as the Acting Deputy President.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

That's fine.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

But I am appalled at the suggestion in this chamber in this debate that this decision has not reflected on our international reputation. We are an international laughingstock as a result of the decision of the Victorian premier, and this Albanese government did nothing. The member for Corio, the member for Corangamite, the member for Bendigo and the member for Ballarat did absolutely nothing to stand up for their communities as our reputations were trashed across the world. For the people of regional Victoria, the games were a critical opportunity of a lifetime, not just to see their local heroes compete but to grow their businesses, to take advantage of the significant economic boost in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Shepparton. Those plans, those hopes, those dreams have been trashed.

The coalition has always recognised how important sport is to our nation. We work so hard as a government to secure so many important events—the FIFA Women's World Cup is on right now—the 2032 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the 27th Netball World Cup. Daniel Andrews's decision to abandon the 2026 Commonwealth Games is an insult to Australian athletes, an insult to regional Victoria and an insult to the Australian people. Working hand in glove with Premier Andrews, Prime Minister Albanese and this city-centric government have broken our hearts.

Premier Andrews is walking all over the top of the members opposite and this government. He is laughing. He could not care less. And this spineless government just stands by and fails to stand up for regional Victoria, fails to stand up for our country. This is appalling. We saw it again in action just a few days ago. The Victorian government, this tyrannical government as it's turning out to be, banned gas from 2024 for new builds, and what do senators and members in the other place do? What does the government do? It does nothing. I cannot believe that gas is going to be banned for new connections, and this spineless government does nothing to stand up for Victoria. We don't believe a word Premier Andrews says. Look at what he did with the East West Link: he cancelled that contract, and that cost Victorians more than $1 billion. We will get to the bottom of this through our Senate inquiry. We will get to the bottom of this deceptive, callous, devious state Labor government, aided and abetted by this unprincipled and spineless Albanese government. We've had enough of being trodden on. We've had enough. We are not going to tolerate it. And shame on the member for Corio, the Deputy Prime Minister and the members for Corangamite, Bendigo and Ballarat who did nothing to stand up for us.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The time for this discussion has expired.