From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 30 July

You cannot have it both ways! Had the Victorian Premier gone ahead with the regional Commonwealth Games the ensuing criticism would be equally strident.

 

WHILE the cancellation is deeply disappointing, Daniel Andrews has taken a fiscally, prudent decision. Considering, he does not deserve public opprobrium. The State cannot afford the inflated cost of staging the games in regional cities and centres. If estimates of Victoria’s debt are correct – $171 billion in three years, then State Government, and the people, will face deeply challenging times.

It is difficult to reconcile some of the anger which is being vented as a consequence. From the outset, the project was demonstrably ambitious – even grandiose, in concept. The hosting of the regional Commonwealth Games was always, at best, problematic. Sadly, Australia suffers the tyranny of distance. In the simplest of circumstances, major events are costly. With the greatest will, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Gippsland, and to a lesser degree, Geelong, lack the magnitude of required infrastructure.

The highly emotive and inflammatory language swamping the Premier’s decision – ‘a global embarrassment’, ‘a complete humiliation’, ‘a betrayal of regional Victorians’, is engineered to provoke controversy. It does not necessarily echo the majority opinion. We all know: ‘The dogs bark, the caravans pass!’

However, collective disappointment notwithstanding, there are significant issues to be deliberated; questions which the Premier must answer – with clarity and without guile. He is expert at closing-down difficult questions. In this instance he must be pressured to satisfy the public’s want of information. This is not a time for cunning syntax and platitudinous gobbledegook!

Victoria is not a fiefdom. We have a right to demand, and to know, the detail. The minister responsible, Jacinta Allan, must present a frank and honest account of how she allowed the contract to disintegrate to this imperfect pass. Hypotheses are odious; however, had the minister been across the minutiae of her portfolio, rather than publicly basking in the glory of the possibilities, we might have witnessed a more agreeable finale.

Why were Government’s estimates so inaccurate? The serious fiscal blunder would suggest an unprecedented lack of attention to detail; a glaring absence of knowledge and rigorous research. It is impossible to envisage how such a discrepancy could come-to-pass given the extensive resources of government. It is, surely, blatant incompetence, and perhaps yet another example of the inevitable failings pursuant to the out-sourcing of government business to private accounting firms. The exposed egregious practices of PwC, coupled with the involvement of Ernest and Young in the incomprehensibly flawed Commonwealth Games budgeting, is cause for national disquiet.

Ought there be a change in methodology; a diminution in external involvement in government business; an increased, and robustly fearless public service, unafraid to say “NO” to the government

of the day – regardless of the consequences? One could be forgiven for thinking the lunatics are in charge of the asylum!

Also of consideration is the dwindling interest in the Commonwealth Games. Seemingly, they no longer hold the same fascination for even the most enthusiastic of sporting devotees. In recent years, the Olympic Games has not commanded the same degree of sustained attention.

The decision to terminate the regional Commonwealth Games’ contract is not the end of the world.

There is much disappoint in the sporting fraternity. This is not the time for hollow, face-saving, party-political promises. We have been assured there will be regional benefits as a consequence.

We must watch, and be certain that all the Premier has promised comes to fruition!

Roland can be heard with Brett MacDonald on 3BA on Mondays at 10.45am and contacted via [email protected].