Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has officially been called to appear before a public hearing for the inquiry into the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
In the resolution agreed to on Monday, Ms Allan has been asked to “provide evidence in her capacity as the former Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery”.
It comes after the state’s opposition said the newly elected premier’s credibility was “on the line as she refused to front the Parliamentary inquiry.”
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“Less than two weeks into the job, Jacinta Allan’s credibility is already on the line as she continues to avoid scrutiny over her role in the Commonwealth Games debacle,” leader of the Opposition John Pesutto said.
“Her story about what she knew and when she knew it changes by the day and it’s time the Premier fronted the parliamentary inquiry and came clean with Victorians.”
The first public hearing heard from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Allen Garner; former chief executive of the Office of the Commonwealth Games, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Victoria 2026 which included Peggy O’Neal AO.
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Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions secretary Tim Ada told the inquiry on Monday games-related costs within his department alone were expected to reach $200 million.
“As infrastructure and delivering planning was progressing, fiscal risks were emerging related to increases in infrastructure delivery costs, displacement costs for the use of some major venues, co-contribution and revenue realisation risks and emerging funding requirements for other departments,” he told the inquiry.
“It is clear now with the benefit of hindsight that the business case prepared in early 2022 did not reflect the true cost of delivering a sporting program spread across five cities, nor anticipate the significant cost escalation that’s been experienced in the construction sector.”
Further public hearings have been scheduled for each Monday throughout October.
People can stay up-to-date on the Inquiry into the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid, including view live streams here.