Chapter 3The role of the Australian Government in successfully hosting Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games
3.1As discussed briefly in the first interim report, the Australian Government has contributed to bids and infrastructure for recent international sporting events through various financial and policy levers in a largely bipartisan way. The committee maintains these contributions reflect the Australian Government's key role and responsibility in supporting the successful hosting of major sporting events and the Commonwealth, Olympic, and Paralympic Games (theGames).
3.2This chapter will explore some of the financial and policy contributions the Australian Government is responsible for or those that can be drawn on to increase opportunities and realise expected benefits.
Introduction
3.3The Australian Government provides a range of support for major international sporting events in Australia. The Department of Health and Aged Care stated that these include:
financial support: funding provided directly to national sporting organisations or event organisers to contribute to the development of the bid or delivery of an event in Australia;
operational and policy support: in-kind and cost recovery services that sit within the Australian Government's remit and are required to support the delivery of an event in Australia, such as national security, taxation support, intellectual property rights protection and anti-doping arrangements; and
leveraging and legacy support: funding and in-kind support for additional activities to leverage the hosting of an event in Australia to maximise benefits for the Australian community.
3.4One of the key roles of the federal Office for Sport is coordinating the Australian Government's support for the bidding, hosting, and staging of major international sporting events hosted in Australia. This includes working across relevant Australian government agencies and in partnership with event owners, event organisers and host jurisdictions to support the safe and successful delivery of events that leave a long-lasting legacy and deliver a range of socioeconomic outcomes for the Australian community.
Benefits to the nation
3.5Participants to the inquiry broadly agreed that when there are major international sporting events hosted in Australia, that this brings benefits to the entire nation, and not just the host state or city.
3.6Ms Elizabeth Jack, Chair, Diving Australia, told the committee of the benefits that sports and major events contribute to Australia's economy including through events, tourism, and infrastructure. Additionally, Ms Jack noted the important role sports play in preventative health, by combatting obesity, chronic disease and mental health which is 'becoming more and more important in recent years'.
3.7When discussing the plan for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032), Ms Cindy Hook, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (Organising Committee) stated that Brisbane 2032 had been designed with events held in several locations across the country to leverage existing infrastructure and share the economic and participation opportunities across the country.
3.8In 2021, the Queensland Government engaged the services of KPMG who estimated the Brisbane 2032 Games will deliver economic and social benefits to the value of $8.1 billion for Queensland and $17.61 billion for Australia. They also reported that Brisbane 2032 would produce approximately 91 600 full time job years for Queensland and 122 900 full time job years nationally.
3.9Mr Mike Kaiser, Director-General of the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning also declared that hosting the Brisbane 2032 Games will bring investment and benefits to 'the entire state and Australia, including significant tourism, trade, legacy and other benefits for the region over the next 20 years and beyond'.
3.10The Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer, MrMatthewCarroll told the committee that a partnership between sport and the Australian Government would 'power Australia's future as a more active, healthier and productive society'.
3.11Further to this, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) New Norm reforms—raised as a point of importance by many submitters—provide greater flexibility for countries hosting the Games to deliver an event which is more affordable, beneficial, and sustainable. There are several reforms giving mention to using existing facilities or lead up events that are planned across a nation, even if they are outside the host city or region.
Visa and security arrangements
3.12Australia maintains a universal visa system requiring all non-Australian citizens to hold a valid visa for entry into Australia. The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) advised that it 'regularly provides visa support to event organisers of high-profile international sporting events that take place in Australia' including providing 'guidance on appropriate visa products and a dedicated point of contact within Home Affairs'. Home Affairs also stated that:
Australia recognises the importance of international visitors to the 2026 and 2032 Games, and the significant impact they will have on the Australian economy. … Appropriate visa products will be available for international visitors wanting to spectate at the 2026 and 2032 Games.
3.13The Government and Major Event Security (GMES) Branch in Home Affairs is responsible for the coordination of national security supports for declared Special Events. GMES’s role is to ensure Australian Government security supports are integrated with security arranged by the event’s organising body and jurisdictional police.
3.14Security guarantees for the Victorian 2026 Commonwealth Games and for the Brisbane 2032 Games were identified and contained in the Federal Budget handed down on 28 March 2022, with no monetary allocation being listed for either event.
3.15While the Office for Sport had advised Commonwealth Games Australia that there was a commitment to meet the Government’s obligations for Games Services and security and visa arrangements, Commonwealth Games Australia stated the budget papers did not detail when any fiscal allocation would be made.
3.16On notice, Home Affairs provided information to the committee that from June2022 to July 2023, GMES participated in seven formal planning meetings with the Victorian Government, Victoria Police, and the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, however, Australian Government security planning for the 2026 Commonwealth Games had not commenced prior to the cancellation, due to the timing and commitment of security agencies to deliver the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
3.17In relation to visas, Home Affairs confirmed it had met with the VictorianCommonwealth Games Organising Committee in June 2023 as part of a multiagency meeting chaired by the Office for Sport. Home Affairs provided information at the meeting to facilitate entry into Australia for a Commonwealth Games workforce and event participants.
3.18Regarding the Brisbane 2032 Games, Home Affairs have committed to ensuring appropriate visa products will be in place to support international visitors including athletes, technical officials, and spectators. As part of the bid process, it was also confirmed that the Australian Government had capabilities to fulfil commitments on immigration support processes, in line with procedures relating to major international events in Australia.
3.19Home Affairs assured the committee that the Australian Government meets regularly through the whole-of-government Inter-Departmental Committee for major events, on the planning for the Games, where matters such as visas are discussed. These meetings are held every three months.
3.20Several participants in the inquiry have emphasised the importance of visa support from the federal government when it comes to hosting international sporting events in Australia.
3.21In their submission, the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) called for the Australian Government to create a special class of long term 'Olympicvisas' to support Pacific Island and Oceania athletes, coaches, sports leaders, and young talent in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games. It expressed that the visa class should allow for multiple long or short-term visits, with flexibility for users to participate in sports activities, study, traineeships, or work.
3.22ONOC made note of the special seven-year visa that was created for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games that allowed transit for Pacific Island athletes to Australia and requested that they are consulted on the design of the new visa class.
3.23Ms Jackie Lauff, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Matters, an organisation that specialises in sport development in the Pacific, Asia and Africa told the committee there is a need to consider the visa environment in Games planning to enable strengthening of the Pacific Island sport sector and their high‑performance athletes. Ms Lauff described instances where there are no consulates or embassies in a Pacific country, resulting in a need for athletes to travel to Australia to access a visa for another country where a sporting event is held. Echoing ONOC's submission to the inquiry, she stated:
[The] government needs to recognise that athletes and officials need to compete and train in different parts of the world and that will often involve extended stays in Australia or transit through Australia to get to competitions and qualification events that are in every corner of the globe.
Sport diplomacy and the Pacific Island nations
3.24Throughout the inquiry and particularly following the cancellation of the 2026Victorian Commonwealth Games, the committee heard from many participants about the impact of major sporting events on not only Australia's international sporting reputation, but also the potential for these events to impact sport diplomacy and other political and foreign policy matters.
3.25Discussing the Volleyball World Championships to be held in South Australia in 2024, Volleyball Australia made note of the opportunities the championship provides for many smaller countries in Oceania to compete on the world stage. In addition, it was noted that major sporting events have a 'positive impact' on the Pacific region that 'aligns with the current government's priorities'.
3.26Commonwealth Games Australia also made similar claims relating to the 2026Victorian Commonwealth Games, stating it was to be 'an international sporting event of tremendous importance to Australia's Pacific neighbours' and an opportunity for athletes from Pacific nations to achieve podium performances and 'provide inspiration to the next generation of athletes'.
3.27ONOC shared that when Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympic Games, ONOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell 'hailed it a win for Oceania' and MrAndrew Liveris, President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee committed to ensuring the Brisbane 2032 Games would be 'a Games for the whole Pacific region'.
3.28The draft Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan has included the premise that Brisbane 2032 is 'a Games for Oceania', as a cross-cutting theme to legacy outcomes. This is reflected in Figure 3.1 below.
Figure 3.1Diagram of the desired flow of legacy impacts from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Source: Queensland Government, Elevate 2042: The Brisbane 2032 Legacy Consultation Paper, p. 5.
3.29There have been strong views expressed by submitters that major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games, provide Australia and the Oceania region a joint platform to deliver outcomes and benefits for the Pacific Island nations including high performance success, sustainable capacity building and economic and social benefits to the community.
3.30In 2022, with 10 years to the Brisbane 2032 Games opening ceremony, ONOC launched a 'Home Games Advantage' initiative with an objective of improving the performance of Oceania at the Brisbane 2032 Games and building a legacy for the region. Sport Matters said:
The initiative has the potential to extend the scale and the reach of the event legacies across Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries and Territories and set new benchmarks for diplomatic, sporting and community partnerships.
3.31ONOC proposes that the initiative could regularly have between 100 to 200 athletes, coaches and officials based in south-east Queensland on both a short‑term and long-term basis, starting in early 2024. ONOC has reportedly invited the Australian Government to help deliver the initiative.
3.32ONOC have also called for Australian investment in 'Pacific Houses' in its submission, as a permanent feature leading up to the Games. Pacific Houses would provide accommodation within current and future high‑performance facilities in Australia to support Pacific Island and Oceania athletes and officials, on a continuous basis. ONOC states that any investment should be developed in conjunction with the ONOC Working Group.
3.33Ms Lauff told the committee that Australia has an ongoing sports diplomacy strategy, Sports Diplomacy 2030, which provides funding for the Pacific Nations, among other streams of work. Within the strategy is two programs, Team Up and PacificAus Sports, which are already being delivered in Pacific Island countries through Australian government investment.
3.34Ms Lauff also reported Sport Matters recently hosted a debate on how to best harness performance outcomes from Pacific athletes and whether that's best placed outside of the Pacific in a high-performance environment. She maintained that there were varying perspectives, but the overarching view was to leverage the legacy potential of the Brisbane 2032 Games by adding a blended format that includes high performance and sustainability actions and partnership activities, with outcomes and impacts in Australia and the Pacific region.
3.35Regional Development Australia Tropical North asserted that Cairns is an international gateway, with well-connected air and sea routes, making it easily accessible for athletes, officials, and spectators from around the world to access Australia. This proximity to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Nations was presented as an opportunity to identify and partner with countries, such as Japan, Singapore, China, Papua New Guinea, and other Pacific Nations.
3.36The Department of Health and Aged Care have confirmed that the Office for Sport is responsible for providing support and policy advice to the Minister for Sport on international engagement and sports diplomacy, along with coordinating Australian Government support for the staging of major international sporting events.
Major sporting events
3.37According to Event Pty Ltd, major events are events such as the Australian Open or the Commonwealth Games, which may also 'comprise many smaller events and experiences within them or relating to them'.
3.38The Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games are major international sporting events which will comprise a decade-long program of events hosted in Australian communities from 2022 to the Brisbane 2032 Games, that include world cups, world championships and international competitions. This decade of competition is expected by many to provide a myriad of benefits for Australia as the host nation.
3.39Commonwealth Games Australia explained the importance of government policy and strategy embracing all three Games (the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games) and the more than 30 other international sporting events on the 'green and gold runway' to the Brisbane 2032 Games. They noted that for Australia to gain all the benefits and opportunities, it is essential that all levels of government take a holistic view of investment and strategy.
3.40These sentiments were also shared by various participants in the inquiry, including the Australian Olympic Committee who advised that to deliver on the opportunity of the 'green and gold runway', a coherent national strategy factoring in each event is required. They further noted that:
The inherent benefits delivered when hosting major sporting events are maximised by strategically investing to leverage the opportunity they present. Australia does not have a unified national approach to guide the identification and targeting of, and bid process for, opportunities to host major events.
3.41A collective of 22 Australian National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) expressed in their submission that 'events play a crucial role in driving various outcomes for NSOs' and serve as valuable opportunities to prepare teams and athletes for major competitions such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. They further claimed that international events hosted in Australia hold particular significance, providing advantageous qualification pathways and rehearsal opportunities for athletes in a familiar territory.
3.42To leverage maximum investment returns, the NSOs believe it is crucial to adopt a coordinated and planned approach to major events early, given there is usually 'a long lead time in event bidding'.
3.43The NSOs also noted a feature of major events is that they serve as important test events for organising committees to evaluate the readiness of their infrastructure and operations ahead of Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games. Conducting these events well in advance allows for the proactive identification and resolution of any potential issues or challenges, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation during the Games'.
3.44The Australian Olympic Committee also reported that the lead acquisition role for major sporting events is often taken on by NSOs or by state and territory governments. It was noted that this can result in a lack of strategic coordination and often, a failure to align major sport events with relevant government policy priorities, consequently, missing the opportunity to maximise the benefits of Australia’s sporting events calendar. They stated that:
With additional strategic co-ordination between sporting event organisers and (across) government(s), Australia has an opportunity to uplift the nation’s sporting events calendar to maximise the participation, economic, social, and legacy benefits it presents. To date, the ad hoc, bottom-up approach to selecting and hosting events has meant the return on investment has not been maximised and has led to an inherent bias towards larger sports who have the scale and know-how to attract event funding.
3.45The Department of Health and Aged Care told the committee that the Office for Sport 'coordinates the Australian Government’s support for the bidding for and delivery of one-off major international sporting events hosted in Australia' and that the Office for Sports 'works across Government and in partnership with event owners, event organisers and host jurisdictions to support the safe and successful delivery of events'.
3.46Many inquiry participants have stated that benefits from major sporting events include increased participation across both the professional and community levels and increases in positive health outcomes that can generate social, economic, and environmental legacies.
3.47According to Rugby Australia:
Sport and the major events associated with it … have the power to change lives and our country’s fortunes. Through exceptional planning and delivery … we will be able to stimulate direct economic growth, drive broader economic benefits, generate national pride, and deliver greater social and health outcomes.
3.48The Victorian Council of Social Services provided similar comments in its submission, explaining that 'hosting international sporting events is not just about sport, it’s about building our country', and that while lasting benefits are possible, they are not automatic. It stated that careful planning, governance and leadership is required to manage negative impacts and enable positive legacy benefits.
3.49Mr Carroll told the committee that when hosting major sporting events, 'the benefits are maximised by strategic investment' and federal leadership should be the 'owner of the strategic coordination of events' to effectively maximise the impact and legacy and determine who is accountable for the outcomes.
3.50Further to this, Volleyball Australia told the committee of the importance of major sporting events following the 2026 Victorian Commonwealth Games cancellation, noting that they play a role in the growth of Australian sports and the invaluable opportunities they provide for athletes to compete at the international stage which helps to build their profile. Volleyball Australia noted the recognition that comes from participating in such prestigious events is critical and a catalyst for corporate support.
3.51The Department of Health and Aged Care confirmed that:
The Government is investing in a range of major international sporting events across ‘the green and gold decade’ and working to ensure the maximum community benefit from that investment can be realised… The Office for Sport is developing a legacy framework to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the coming decade of major events in the lead up to Brisbane 2032.
Australian Government sport funding and strategic policy
3.52While major sporting events were frequently referred to by participants to the inquiry as an important feature of a successful 'home Games' (major events held in Australia), the discussion of funding was raised as a key determinant to ensuring success, by many submitters and witnesses.
3.53The committee frequently heard that the success of 'home Games' is closely linked with the success of Australian teams, and the outcomes of athletes and their sports on the podium, was a defining characteristic of success 'in the eyes of most Australians'.
3.54The committee further learned how government funding for high-performance sports greatly affects Australian team success through creation and maintenance of venues and facilities, talent pipelines and talent identification, and increased community participation.
The link between sport funding, success and community outcomes
3.55When calling for greater increases in funding and explaining why this investment for high-performance sport is so important, particularly for 'home Games', many sporting associations reflected on the 'interconnectedness of participation, pathways, and performance' in sport, which is reflected in Figure 3.2 below of the virtuous circle.
Figure 3.2The virtuous circle - a diagram of the interconnections of high‑performance sport
Source: Australian Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia, Sport Powering Australia's Future (10+10), p. 8.
3.56Commonwealth Games Australia stated in their submission:
The rationale of the ‘Virtuous Circle’ cannot be disputed [when] demonstrating the inextricable linkages between grassroots aspirations and high-performance outcomes. The [Virtuous Circle] demonstrates how sport needs to be understood holistically and how its operations are interconnected.
3.57Mr Kieren Perkins, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Sports Commission reflected on the recent success of the Women's FIFA World Cup in Australia and the Matilda's performance. He stated that the biggest impacts from this success was the rise in community engagement for women's sports and the increase in younger children and girls now participating in community soccer. Mr Perkins explained how this placed additional strain on already stretched community sporting infrastructure:
What that's led to, of course, is many, many girls wanting to play soccer and, unfortunately, there's nowhere for lots of new girls to play soccer because our facilities at the community level are already, generally, across most of the country, at capacity, in terms of their ability to serve.
3.58Mr Perkins further explained to the committee that '80 per cent of the country needs to be engaged to find our talent … and to bring them forward' to enable the successful sporting system in Australia to deliver outcomes at the Brisbane2032 Games.
3.59According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, of the 82 per cent of Australians who watched the Tokyo 2020 Games, 58 per cent were inspired and proud of the efforts and outcomes of Australian athletes, and over 20 per cent became more involved in sport. Additionally, the Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledged the value of involvement in sport in improving health outcomes and relieving pressure on the health system.
3.60Mr Carroll said that in order to get the health and wellbeing benefits that sports can deliver, 'investments in sports must be made, including at the high-performance level'.
3.61Paralympic Australia's President, Mr John (Jock) O'Callaghan made similar claims, stating that:
Half a million people with a disability want access to sport. That cannot happen without the support of all levels of government—and, indeed, down to community sport and also the high-participation sports.
Current funding model and concerns
3.62The Australian Sports Commission is the Australian Government agency responsible for investing in, and growing sport at all levels. The AustralianSports Commission manages the Australian Institute of Sport where elite athletes have access to integrated accommodation, high-performance facilities, and muti-disciplinary support teams.
3.63The Department of Health and Aged Care noted in its submission the Australian Government provides $150 million to 35 high performance sport programs each year, including $14.6 million to athletes through the Australian Sports Commission and $21 million directly into sports and athlete development.
3.64Mr Perkins claimed that Australian Government funding for high-performance sports programs provides support to more programs than any other country, noting that the next closest is the United Kingdom, with 'around 20 to 21' programs in their high-performance system.
3.65Mr Travis Haslam, First Assistant Secretary, Office for Sport informed the committee the total sports portfolio investment is approximately $3 billion, through to 2026–27.
3.66Despite these overall sports investment figures, NSOs have argued there is no high-performance investment and funding guarantees beyond the Paris2024 Games, and investment is prioritised to 'large commercial sporting codes and franchises' who are frequently 'recipients of broadcast revenue deals' unlike most Games sports.[67]
3.67Additionally, since the Victorian Government's decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a number of Games sports and teams have raised significant concerns over their funding levels, as this withdrawal will likely result in overseas travel for training, qualification and events. Volleyball Australia explained the withdrawal caused 'challenging financial and reputational circumstances' as they had invested in overheads and lead up events to 2026.
3.68According to Commonwealth Games Australia, current funding levels indicate a 'systemic underfunding of Commonwealth, Paralympic and Olympic sports in Australia' with policymakers viewing the sports 'as having a once every four‑year window of relevance'.
3.69Commonwealth Games Australia further explained that the current funding model of the Australian Sports Commission has been decreasing for many years, from its peak at $442 million in 2018–19. They claimed that funds were provided based on what was available, 'rather than what is optimal' and direct grants to member sports and funding programs had also declined.
3.70Triathlon Australia affirmed a decline in sport funding across participation, performance, and pathways, along with a decline from all levels of government in major event funding. They noted this decline in funding results in its athletes leaving Australia to compete in elite environments, which is 'burdensome financially and taxing on the athletes and support staff'.
3.71Triathlon Australia, along with other sporting associations have noted the increasing cost of living has left sports funding not keeping pace with inflation and the 'strain on the sports system who are expected to produce more with less'.
3.72Swimming Australia have said the scope of activities its high-performance programs can support is diminishing, and this risks downgrading performance outcomes in the lead up to, and at the Paris 2024 Games.
3.73In their joint submission, the NSOs noted that they represent 'the participation of 13million people' and an 'investment return of $7 for every $1 invested' through community health outcomes.
3.74The NSOs stressed that despite growing investment in infrastructure, if sport funding declines continue, Australian team performances at the Paris 2024, LosAngeles 2028, and Brisbane 2032 Games 'will not meet the expectations of the nation'.
3.75Similarly, Commonwealth Games Australia made the point in its submission that 'the high-performing results' that are expected of Australian teams is 'not sustainable' at current funding levels from the Australian Government, following an analysis they undertook with the Australian Olympic Committee in 2021.[77]
3.76The joint analysis demonstrated an approximate $200 million per annum or '$2billion shortfall in the Federal Government’s investment in NSOs' over the 10 years to the Brisbane 2032 Games, was needed to deliver on participation, performance, and pathways outcomes.
Opportunities for investment and improvement
3.77In anticipation of the upcoming home Games, and prior to the Victorian Governments' withdrawal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games the Australian Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia developed 2023–24 Federal Budget submissions requesting funding for their respective sports teams and NSOs. These funding requests have been repeatedly echoed across submissions and appearances to this inquiry.
3.78According to the NSOs, the Australian Olympic Committee requested the Australian Government:
immediately reinstate the $314 million shortfall in high-performance funding over four years since 2020–21;
urgently address the continuing funding shortfall over the forward estimates period through to 2024–25;
acknowledge the shortcomings of the funding allocations to sports ahead of the Paris 2024 Games; and
provide an immediate injection of $50 million per year to sports.
3.79Commonwealth Games Australia requested the Australian Government provide a correction in funding of $10 million per annum to NSOs from 2023–24 to 2025–26 to successfully prepare the teams for the 2026Commonwealth Games and an immediate uplift of $18.3 million for Paris 2024 Games sports who currently receive funding and who are required to send athletes to qualification events for those Games.
3.80The NSOs noted in their submission that:
Despite our repeated submissions, reviews, and lobbying, our collective voice remains unheard, and these plans remain unfunded…
3.81During the inquiry and following the decision by the Victorian Government to withdraw from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Australian Government provided $20 million to assist Olympic and Paralympic athletes to qualify for the Paris 2024 Games and $466500 to Paralympic Australia’s Talent Identification and Pathway Entry program.
3.82Mr Perkins also informed the committee that the Australian Government is committed to ensuring Commonwealth Games sports are still prepared for a 2026 Commonwealth Games and have recently confirmed ongoing funding for three Commonwealth sports that do not operate in the Olympics, including bowls, squash, and netball.
3.83Despite these funding contributions, Commonwealth Games Australia have stated in a supplementary submission (made after the announcement by Victoria that it was withdrawing from 2026) that one-off program funding will not address the systemic under-funding that affect grassroots participation and subsequent pathways to elite performance.
3.84A frequent comment regarding funding of high-performance sports, is the need for government investment to be holistic and strategic to gain the predicted benefits and maximise opportunities presented.
3.85For example, Judo Australia discussed how training facilities can not only influence athletes’ levels of skills that can be achieved and maintained, but adding commercial aspects to facilities could generate revenue, and increase new participation and potential talent, while decreasing reliance on government funding.
3.86The Australian Olympic Committee called for a 'dedicated Department of Sport' at the federal level, that would coordinate with other agencies and governments to ensure:
… government-wide transparent and accountable investment strategy, alignment of policy and activities to optimise sports contribution from a whole-of-government perspective and enable objective examination of proposed investment.
3.87The Department of Health and Aged Care advised that the existing Office for Sport facilitates regular engagement with relevant Australian Government agencies including sharing information regarding funding requests and budget considerations, to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach across the Australian Government.
3.88The awarding of the Brisbane 2032 Games was the inspiration behind the creation of Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy (HP2032+), which was co-designed by the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian High-Performance System, including NSOs in 2022. HP2023+ is stated as having a 'strong focus on collaboration, alignment, clarity, and accountability'[90] and interlinks with other key strategies in the high-performance system. Figure 3.3 below demonstrates this strategic landscape.
Figure 3.3The strategic landscape of the Australian sport system to Brisbane and beyond
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 2022; NSO Joint Submission, Submission 33, p. 9.
3.89Reportedly, HP2032+ was developed to harness the collective strengths, talent, and resources in Games sports to get the best outcomes possible for Australia in the 'green and gold runway' and during the Brisbane 2032 Games. Success will be measured by the total number of medals, the number of athletes who win medals, and the breadth of sports and disciplines in which medals are won.
3.90The Australian NSOs believe in the Australian high performance sport system to deliver the strategic outlook and expected outcomes, but remain alarmed that the strategies are unfunded, and the system is continuously underfunded. NSOs and their sports are continuing to seek investment growth and funding certainty to deliver on HP2032+.
Australian Institute of Sport
3.91The Australian Government is currently undertaking a review of what facilities are needed to support Australia's high-performance system, led by two independent reviewers appointed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Affairs, Communications, and the Arts (DepartmentofInfrastructure). The review was announced on 16 October 2023, and is reportedly due to provide advice by the end of 2023.
3.92Mr Haslam confirmed that the terms of reference include examining the Canberra-based Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and 'its optimal location in the context of the Brisbane 2032' Games.
3.93Mr Perkins stated that the Australian Sports Commission has been clear in its view that the AIS is a national institution in Canberra, and that this is important to the sport system and its operations. Mr Perkins also explained that:
… the sports system in this country was decentralised about 10 years ago. The state and territory institutes and academies took on the role and responsibility for the daily training environment for athletes, and the AIS here in Canberra took on the national lead role for camp based national programs, sports science, technology, engineering [and] innovation.
3.94As it currently stands, the AIS was built in the early 1980s with only a small number of new structures. This has resulted in a deficiency of required overnight accommodation due to the growth in programs and athletes, and facilities no longer meeting modern codes for para-accessibility and child safety. It was stated that upgrades for the AIS in Canberra are required.
3.95Reflecting on the costs of the potential relocation of the AIS being 'in excess of $1 billion', Mr Perkins noted that the quoted figure was from three years ago and was 'an exceptionally conservative number' given the rise in infrastructure over the past 12 months. He also confirmed that the Australian Sports Commission remains of the view that any relocation of the AIS could not be delivered in time to support athlete development cycles for Brisbane 2032 due to significant disruptions and resourcing issues, and that a relocation is not viable.
3.96When questioned on whether there was any supporting evidence for the relocation of the AIS, to counter the views of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr Blair Exell, Deputy Secretary, Health Systems Strategy, First Nations and Sport Group, Department of Health and Aged Care stated that he was not aware of any major reviews or reports.
Missed legacy opportunities of Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games
3.97The Committee received evidence from Victorian local councils, tourism bodies and regional representative groups about the likely negative economic impact of the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games.
3.98Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan gave evidence about plans to host athletes prior to the Commonwealth Games for training and acclimatisation. Cr Whelan noted the loss of income as a result of the cancellation:
The value of those contracts— they weren't inked—was in the range of $3million to $3.5 million; that's 4900 bed nights. We were pretty excited by that and were pretty pleased with ourselves about our innovative approach. It was really looking at bringing home the bacon, I suppose. Overall, the multiplier effects, once you factor in those other supply and consumption effects, would be in the vicinity of $5 million to $5.8 million for the beneficial economic impact for the Bass Coast.
3.99NSOs and sporting peak bodies told the committee of the missed social legacies in achieving increased participation in community sport. ChiefExecutiveOfficer of VicSport, Ms Lisa Hasker, said the cancellation has adversely impacted volunteer uptake, particularly following the decline in recent years due to COVID-19. Ms Hasker explained that major sporting events are critical to building a volunteer base and encouraging participation.
3.100The committee also heard how the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games presented an opportunity to address strains on regional housing supply. Planning Institute of Australia Victorian Division highlighted the benefits of The Games to meet long-term housing needs, stating that if 'appropriately designed and located, with a mix of private and public ownership', athletes' villages could be used for social housing post-Games.
Australian Hosting Solution
3.101Since the first interim report was tabled recommending the Australian Government work to find an Australian solution to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, little progress has been made on finding an Australian hosting solution. Mr Exell claimed that a Sports Ministers meeting was held in November, and the issue of an Australian solution was not raised:
In preparation for that meeting, we sought agenda items and topics of interest, and we raised this issue. That meeting was organised by Victoria, and that agenda was put forward by Victoria. There was not an interest from the states and territories to have this as part of that agenda.
3.102Despite this, Mr Exell informed the committee the Commonwealth Games Australia were still looking for suitable dates for the event to be held in Australia.
3.103The media has reported that the Mayor of the Gold Coast, and the Lord Mayor of Perth and the Executive Chair of Hancock Prospecting have written to the Prime Minister proposing a ‘coast to coast’ model of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which would be jointly hosted by the two respective cities. The committee understands that this bid will no longer proceed with the Mayor of the Gold Coast formally declaring the withdrawal of the bid.
3.104At the time of writing, the Australian Government has not made a public response to the proposal.
Committee view
3.105The New Norm reforms highlight the ongoing role that countries and national governments play when it comes to the delivery of sustainable, successful, and economically viable major international sporting events.
3.106Whilst it is clear the Australian government has a key role in supporting the successful hosting of Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic games, there is room for this role to be more widely understood or considered by other parties including state and territory governments and sporting associations. While the Office for Sport generally has a role in supporting major sporting events in Australia, the application of the function does not appear to be one of significant and broad coordination and strategic oversight as the committee heard is required.
3.107The committee believes there is a need for greater oversight, connection, and involvement by the Australian Government when sports and jurisdictions are bidding for or considering hosting major sporting events in Australia.
3.108The Australian Government’s support and funding of high-performance sports and athletes is clearly critical to the success of their performance and their ability to inspire and bring through new participants and new talent. However, the Australian Government’s support has continued to dwindle in recent years, not keeping pace with the inflationary environment and risking the performance of Australia’s national athletes.
3.109With the home ground 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games growing closer, it is imperative the Australian Government harnesses this opportunity and invests in our nation’s athletes to ensure they can succeed and inspire the community for many years to come.
3.110Work on visas and access to Australia for athletes, coaches and officials is reported to be underway, however, progress on planning appears limited and is likely to cause barriers to the sport community who require access to Australia in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games. This is specifically true for athletes from Pacific Island nations who frequently require passage to Australia to compete and train for major sporting events.
3.111Reflecting on the first interim report and the evidence demonstrated in this chapter, the committee recognises the significant opportunity cost that our Pacific Island neighbours and their athletes have suffered due to Victoria's withdrawal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. These Games were a critical point in the runway to Brisbane 2032, and an opportunity to leverage a 'local' series of competitions to build their athlete base and improve their performance.
3.112The committee gained insight from Australian Government representatives on the review into the potential relocation of the AIS from Canberra ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games, however, no clear explanation of why this review was taking place was provided. The committee was not made aware of any supporting evidence or justifications for this proposal, but heard at length that the relocation is not viable and about the expected negative impacts on athlete performances at the Brisbane 2032 Games.
3.113The relocation of a well-supported and functioning AIS ahead of a Games event nine years in the future that will last two weeks and is expected to cost far beyond the predicted $1 billion is simply unacceptable. This funding could be invested into upgrading the existing Canberra AIS location that requires upgrades to assist youth and para participation and elite performance, for a fraction of the cost.
3.114The committee appreciates that the Department of Infrastructure and the independent reviewers are still yet to release the findings and outcome of this review. Regardless of the outcome, the committee believes that the AIS belongs in the nation’s capital and accordingly does not support its relocation.
3.115The committee recommends that the Australian Government through the Office for Sport, progress the establishment of a national strategy for major sporting events in collaboration with all governments, sporting associations and event organisers to maximise Australia’s sporting events calendar and the subsequent participation, economic, social, and legacy benefits.
3.116The committee recommends that the Australian Government develops guidelines for future major sporting events which make Commonwealth funding, regulatory, policy and operational support conditional on state and territory governments providing concrete, measurable evidence of the legacy benefits for the community, and evidence that they have undertaken timely, adequate, and meaningful consultation with communities before making decisions on venues and infrastructure.
3.117The committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake more frequent meetings with the whole-of-government Inter-Departmental Committee to discuss arrangements for visas in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and any other upcoming events to ensure swift access can be provided to athletes, coaches, and officials, particularly from neighbouring Pacific Island nations.
3.118The committee recommends that the Australian Government review current funding mechanisms and investment levels for Australian Sports Commission funded Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games sports and their associations to ensure funding levels are appropriate and sufficient to meet the needs of athletes and their teams to produce successful outcomes in upcoming major events including Paris 2024 and through to Brisbane 2032. This review should also recognise additional para-athlete qualification requirements.
3.119The committee recommends that the Australian Government does not relocate the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from Canberra. Any funding that would be required to relocate the AIS should instead be invested into upgrading the current AIS location in Bruce, Canberra to ensure the facility is fit-for-purpose and can support the needs of Australia's athletes leading up to and beyond the Brisbane 2032 Games.
3.120The committee recommends that the Australian Government lead the development with interested stakeholders of an Australian bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, the committee recommends the Australian Government provide public reasoning for any decisions made on the proposals.
3.121The committee recommends the Australian Government comprehensively review, and report to Parliament, the missed economic, social, and legacy opportunities following the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This review and report should include the impact on Athletes and the proposed regional host communities of Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, and Geelong.
Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan
Chair