Oversight wanted for Comm Games spending

FEDERAL Opposition MPs say an independent authority should oversee the delivery of sporting and community infrastructure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Shadow Minister for Sport Anne Rushton and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Bridget McKenzie have called on the Albanese

Government to establish a joint oversight body “to ensure Australia’s sporting infrastructure is not under threat” in preparation for the event.

The Liberal MPs say a joint authority “would ensure appropriate oversight by reviewing all major sporting infrastructure spending”.

“To ensure value for money, full transparency and on-time delivery of projects, an authority is essential,” Ms Rushton said.

“An authority, such as that proposed by the Coalition Government, would ensure the proper assessment of projects and value for taxpayer money,” Ms McKenzie said.

The proposed body would also have oversight over the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which the former Coalition Government agreed to provide half the funding split with the Queensland Government.

The Victorian government is set to foot the majority of the bill for infrastructure of the 2026 Commonwealth games, having already committed to $2.6 billion.

Geelong is set to play a major role in the 2026 event as one of four host cities across regional Victoria.

An athlete’s village for about 2,500 athletes that will later become social housing and a new indoor stadium at Waurn Ponds, plus an aquatics centre and multi-purpose courts at Armstrong Creek are new projects already confirmed under a $292 million investment promise for the Geelong region.

The region, including the Surf Coast and Bellarine, will host nine sports in total, followed by the closing ceremony at Kardinia Park.