The recent announcement by Commonwealth Games Scotland about the possible hosting of the 2026 Games in Glasgow, with a budget of only $220 million, comes to compound the fiasco of Victoria’s withdrawal from hosting the Games on the pretext that they would cost over $7 billion, far exceeding the government’s own initial estimates of a cost of $2.6 billion.
The government’s “sorry, made a mistake” approach will cost Victorian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and will likely fund the Glasgow Games in their entirety if it does end up hosting them. This is a real “Scottish shower” for the Allan government, especially considering that the current Premier was responsible for staging the 2026 Commonwealth Games under the Andrews government.
Thus, Victoria’s bid to host the 2030 Gay Games, the largest LGBTQ+ sporting and cultural event in the world, is facing intense scrutiny as the recent Commonwealth Games fiasco casts a long shadow over this new bid.
Melbourne has been shortlisted alongside other cities like Auckland, Cape Town, and Denver, but the state’s track record raises serious concerns about its ability to deliver on such a major event.
Many question whether Victoria has the capacity and credibility to host another high-profile international event.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Events Steve Dimopoulos has argued that the Gay Games approached Victoria, rather than the state actively pursuing the event. He insists that Melbourne’s world-class venues, strong workforce, and vibrant cultural scene make it a strong contender.
However, this optimism is overshadowed by the recent scathing report from Victoria’s Auditor-General, which criticized the government’s handling of the Commonwealth Games budget. The report revealed that while the initial budget was unrealistically low, the updated $7 billion figure was exaggerated, and the cancellation costs were substantial.
Critics argue that Victoria’s international reputation has been severely damaged by the Commonwealth Games disaster. Former Premier Jeff Kennett has voiced doubts about the state’s credibility, questioning whether any organization would trust Victoria to deliver on the Gay Games. He also raised concerns about whether a solid business plan and cost analysis have been prepared, given the state’s previous failures.
While hosting the Gay Games could yield significant economic benefits, including job creation and tourism revenue, there are valid concerns about the state’s preparedness and financial management. Victoria must first address past mistakes and provide a transparent, detailed plan to restore confidence before embarking on such ambitious projects. Until then, the 2030 Gay Games bid risks being seen as a reckless gamble rather than a well-thought-out opportunity.
