Australian state of Victoria cancels Commonwealth games

I heard that the reason that it was cancelled because is was it was far more expensive than it was initially thought to be.

The money is going to be spent on local services, schools and infrastructure instead.

It’s a good and brave move I think

The initial estimate was 2.6 billion AUS dollars

www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/18/australia-commonwealth-games-2026-victoria-cancels-event-after-funding-shortfall

I agree Fanny.

Australia does seem to be a very sensible country in many ways

Birmingham games cost nearly £800m helped by £550m from government, Gold Coast games cost nearly £1 billion, for comparison London Olympics cost £8.8 billion.

A lot of locals attended events and helped out at Birmingham and the games were seen as a big success, but the cost and organization is massive. One friend helped out as a host to an African team, they had not even got the basics, no running shoes, swimsuits or athletics kit, everything had to be found in the city.

I am sorry to hear this.
I think the goodwill generated by events such as the Commonwealth games and the Olympics is very important in our increasingly fragmented and hostile world. From the athletes’ point of view they gain immeasurably by the combination of cooperation, competition and fellowship of international events such as these.
Birmingham last year was a very happy place, vibrant and proud and I am sure we all remember the positive vibes and happiness which spread around London in 2012. People even smiled on the tube! I don’t think the country has felt as good since.
Is the answer not to cut back on the razzmatazz and expenditure rather than the Games themselves?

London 2012 was absolutely phenomenal.
I was one of the nay sayers who were predicting that it would be a disaster.
I’ve never been so happy to be so wrong.
It was absolutely magical

Yes, that was brilliant for Brum.
I wonder how much that cost?
It must have brought in a lot of money and good for tourism.
I was pleased that the cycling showed how much countryside there is in the WM

Glasgow games were completely funded by us ,no WM funding at all.As is normal .

The Games were delivered successfully within budget. The Games
cost a total of £543 million, £32 million less than the budget agreed
in November 2013. This includes £34 million from the operational
contingency fund which was part of the total budget.
2 The Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council provided £424.5
million towards the total cost of the Games, £37.2 million less than
anticipated. The remaining costs of the Games were met from £118
million of income from ticket sales, sponsorship and other private
sources. The Organising Committee and Police Scotland demonstrated
good financial control over their respective Games budgets

I agree with what Foxygloves has said about goodwill and happiness.

The money is going to be spent on local services, schools and infrastructure instead

Australian healthcare is mainly funded privately and there are very many private schools there too. However, under the present leadership, the State has got more into debt and people poorer.

The Victorian State Premier is very unpopular indeed after the way he acted during Covid and there are murmurings of corruption about the way his office works.

I think it is sad if we have a grey world with no colour to brighten the gloom.

Where's nanna8? Her views on this would be welcome.

I’ve pm’d you Fanny

Perhaps there should be new ways explored to fund these events.

Callistemon the school bit I was just guessing after I heard the word ‘infastructure’ on the news.
In the report I linked to it says that most of the money will go on housing.

I agree with you both too about ‘colour’, it’s the same with the arts.

It’s one of many things that I hold different views about at the same time!
(See also: God / The Monarchy / Horse Racing / The Daily Mail )

Juliet27

I’ve pm’d you Fanny

Oh! I haven’t received it

It’s one of many things that I hold different views about at the same time!
Yes, I have conflicting views on some things! That's not a bad thing.

Andrews should have not bid for the Commonwealth Games just over a year ago; he must have known then that Victoria couldn't afford to host them and that the costs would rise as they always do.

What a pity we didnt have the guts to cancel the coronation in favour of a quick flick scandi style swearing in. Plus some of the royal weddings recently. Look how those worked out!

Ha ha! M&H pop up in the most unlikely places!
I was just reading that M isn’t happy about H’s book.
She’s in the process of ‘distancing herself’ I believe…

Let's save a bob or two and have a grey, grey, grey world

Callistemon21

Let's save a bob or two and have a grey, grey, grey world

That’s austerity for you.
Look where it’s got us

biglouis

What a pity we didnt have the guts to cancel the coronation in favour of a quick flick scandi style swearing in. Plus some of the royal weddings recently. Look how those worked out!

How much did the coronation cost the UK economy?
In terms of the actual event itself, the coronation is set to be a net positive for the British economy. While the actual costs aren't disclosed, a number of media reports have estimated the cost of Operation Golden Orb — the codename for the event — at up to £100 million ($126 million).5 May 2023

The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates a £337 million ($420 million) boost from extra tourism and spending in pubs over the three-day weekend, which includes an extra public holiday on May 8.
VisitEngland, a tourism body, estimates that the boost from increased domestic travel over the weekend will be much higher at £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion).

Manchester benefitted from hosting the Commonwealth games. It was very exciting and we have lasting legacies in our sports facilities. No one believed it was a sensible thing to do beforehand but it was a great success and, I believe, gave London the confidence to bid for the Olympics.

On PM (R4) they we’re talking about the possibility of the UK hosting again - either Liverpool or Birmingham 😃

Victoria has inflated the cost to A$7 billion that’s £3.5 billion
Clearly way out of line with real costs in the past, why that is we don’t know, probably more to hear on this topic.

Excuse the typo 😉