NATIONAL Party MPs were in Bendigo last week to voice issues with the Commonwealth Games and a supposed budget blowout.<\/p>\n
Federal Senator Bridget McKenzie said she was concerned the State Government was going to leave local communities paying the bill for the Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there have been concerns raised right across the board about the timeframe and the funding envelope for the Commonwealth Games,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we are here today to call on the Andrews Government to make sure in their upcoming May budget that they don’t leave it to the local councils.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want the ratepayers of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, and Latrobe footing the bill for the Commonwealth Games.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2026 Commonwealth Games should be a chance to build local infrastructure in regional communities Ms McKenzie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want communities like Bendigo to have legacy projects,\u201d she said. \u201cLegacy infrastructure in terms of accommodation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want great sporting venues that are going to serve this community, our state, and our nation going forward far beyond the couple of weeks the games will be hosted here locally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Premier and Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, said there was no truth of budget concerns or timeframe issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are making great progress with regional communities on the delivery of the 2026 Commonwealth Games,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Andrews Labor Government has grabbed with both hands the opportunity to have regional Victoria be the home of the Games, unlike the Liberal and Nationals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho instead of delivering regional communities sports, they delivered rorts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Allan said the Government is working with communities to produce a Commonwealth Games legacy that will last.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to take an investment approach with our regional communities,\u201d she said. \u201cWhich is why we are partnering with councils and communities across the state to host the games.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will leave a lasting legacy with $3 billion of ongoing investment into the regional communities to go along with the job opportunities and the chance to showcase regional Vic on the international stage.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NATIONAL Party MPs were in Bendigo last week to voice issues with the Commonwealth Games and a supposed budget blowout. Federal Senator Bridget McKenzie said she was concerned the State Government was going to leave local communities paying the bill for the Games. \u201cWe know there have been concerns raised right across the board about […]<\/p>\n