Victoria Government Criticised for Withholding Documents in Commonwealth Games Bid Inquiry

The investigation into the cancelled bid for the Commonwealth Games has revealed that the Victorian government failed to submit necessary documents for assessment. The Select Committee on the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid has criticized the government for not following the proper process for claiming executive privilege under Legislative Council Standing Orders. The Committee has requested specific procedures to be followed within two weeks, warning that failure to comply may be considered contempt of Parliament. The report, presented in the Senate on Sept. 10, emphasizes the importance of the requested documents for the inquiry and highlights the government’s obstruction of a transparent investigation. The attorney-general claimed executive privilege over 350 out of 353 documents requested, citing the government’s commitment to protecting public interest. Despite Victoria’s withdrawal, Glasgow is expected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Scotland’s government finalizing its agreement. The sudden cancellation of the bid by then-premier Daniel Andrews was attributed to a significant increase in the event’s estimated cost, which was later found to be overstated by the Victorian auditor-general.

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