Victorians will finally get answers on the shambolic and embarrassing scrapping of the Commonwealth Games after an overwhelming vote in State Parliament.
The Upper House today supported a Liberal and Nationals motion to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the debacle, which has shamed Victoria internationally and plunged the state further into financial crisis.
The formation of a Select Committee to get to the bottom of the scandal is a major victory for regional Victorians who have been left floundering and betrayed by Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews’ decision to kill the 2026 Games.
The Liberals and Nationals have 13 seats in the Upper House, meaning the Opposition needed the support of eight crossbench MPs to pass the motion.
Every crossbencher supported the motion, leaving the final vote at 25-15 in favour of a probe.
Only the Andrews Government MPs voted against the inquiry.
Finally regional Victorians, who were promised so much, will get the chance to learn key details of why the Games de-railed.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy said regional Victorians needed compensation and their local communities an explanation.
“Victorians need to understand why the Labor Government broke their promise of delivering the Commonwealth Games for regional Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.
“Regional Victorians deserve an answer after being promised to be put under the spotlight and a focus like never before.”
Before the vote, member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, spoke strongly in favour of the inquiry in the Upper House.
Ms Bath said the Andrews Government must continue to be held accountable for their growing list of broken promises.
“Regional Victorians deserve the opportunity to hold the Andrews Labor Government to account through a transparent process, this Inquiry provides that platform,” Ms Bath said.
“Our communities need to see timelines, deadlines and bricks and mortar on regional priority projects and affordable housing – this scrutiny will make it difficult for Labor to hide.”