Support For Dan Andrews Slips After Commonwealth Games Axing

Support for Victoria Premier Dan Andrews has dropped since his government axed the 2026 Commonwealth Games, latest polling reveals.

The Roy Morgan Snap SMS Poll questioned 1,046 Victorians on July 19 and 20 on a two-party preferred basis.

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Since late May, support for the Labor party slipped by 8.5 points to 53 per cent, while the Liberal party’s support increased by 8.5 points to 47 per cent.

Despite Labor’s fall of support, the Victorians questions said cancelling the Commonwealth Games was a “good idea”.

A clear majority of Victorians backed the decision as a “good idea”, 58 per cent, compared to 42 per cent who said the cancellation was a “bad idea”.

Victorians of all key demographics agreed the decision was the right one, including a majority of women and men, 63 and 53 per cent respectively, and people in country Victoria and Melbourne, 59 and 58 per cent respectively.

Will Gold Coast host the games?

The host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games has volunteered to host the 2026 Games – but only if the Federal Government is able to assist financially.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Mayor Tom Tate said his city could host the games if it had the support.

“Do we want to help? Is the question,” Tate told reporters on Thursday.

“The answer is yes, and we can if the federal government is willing to re-provision (the funding).”

The 2018 Commonwealth Games cost $1.2 billion to host. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said earlier this week the state would not intervene with its eyes only on the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

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