Labor Senators Additional Comments

Commonwealth Games

1.1Labor senators note that at the time of the Victorian Government’s decision to cancel the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, negotiations relating to Australian Government funding and support for the delivery of the Games were ongoing and no agreement had been reached.

1.2Labor senators further note that the original contract for hosting the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games was an agreement made between the Victorian Government, Commonwealth Games Australia, and the Commonwealth Games Federation. The Australian Government was not party to this agreement.

1.3In light of this, Labor senators have a different view of the role of the Australian Government going forward. Namely, that it is not incumbent on the Australian Government to require notification of changes to major sporting events or monitor events for which hosting rights have been awarded—that the Australian Government is not party to—as outlined in Recommendation 3; Chapter 3. Labor senators note that this has been the practice of the Australian Government in the past, and that it would be inappropriate for the Australian Government to require this information.

1.4In relation to the Victorian Government’s alternative $2 billion rural and regional funding package, Labor senators are of the view that unilateral funding decisions taken by state governments remain matters for state governments and parliaments, and it would therefore be inappropriate for the Australian Government to interfere in those processes.

1.5In response to Recommendation 4; Chapter 3, Labor senators also note that the mechanism through which the Australian Government would ‘encourage’ certain actions from the Victorian Government in relation to agreements and funding decisions taken by the Victorian Government remains unclear.

1.6Labor senators also note that the Australian Government remains committed to ensuring the sustainable funding of National Sporting Organisations and National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability in the lead up to Paris 2024 and Brisbane 2032. Labor senators further note that the Australian Government continues to engage with these stakeholders in relation to their requests for support.

Olympics Games – Gabba Redevelopment and Redlands Whitewater Centre

1.7Labor senators note that approximately nine years remain between the conduct of this inquiry and the commencement of the Brisbane Olympic Games in 2032. Given this timeline, Labor senators note that it is desirable that outcomes which are mutually agreeable to local communities and Olympic organising bodies be negotiated.

1.8Labor senators also note that under the intergovernmental agreement signed by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government, the redevelopment of the Gabba is a matter for the Queensland Government.

Senator Glenn Sterle

Deputy Chair

Senator Linda White

Member