Questions without notice and ministers statements
Commonwealth Games
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. The Premier admitted today that she was aware lawyers had been engaged to scrap the Commonwealth Games in June. When did the government first become aware that the cost of the Commonwealth Games had blown out?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, could you repeat the question, please? I did not hear you.
Danny Pearson interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! Assistant Treasurer!
John PESUTTO: The Premier admitted today that she was aware lawyers had been engaged to scrap the Commonwealth Games in June. When did the government first become aware that the cost of the Commonwealth Games had blown out?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for a question about legal fees and legal advice. But notwithstanding that, as has been mentioned a number of times in the house and in media conferences, as the government was doing the work on how best to deliver the regional Commonwealth Games consistent with the agreement that had been signed with the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia, we were working with the officials, and estimates were being updated from estimates to actuals. As was said at the press conference on 18 July, in those preceding weeks as the figures were reaching more than $6 billion for a 12-day sporting event, it simply did not stack up. It did not stack up, particularly at a time when the biggest issue facing the Victorian community was making sure people have a roof over their head –the dignity of a roof over their head. That is why the decision was made, and the investment, particularly the $1 billion into regional housing and the investment in tourism, sport and major events, which was a key legacy reason we wanted to host the games in the first place.
Danny Pearson interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Assistant Treasurer is warned.
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was: when did the Premier first become aware of the cost blowout? I would ask you to bring the Premier back to that question.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): Was the Premier aware that lawyers had been engaged to scrap the Commonwealth Games before she appeared at PAEC on 13 June?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:05): As has been confirmed today, I was advised on 14 June that the Premier was seeking legal advice, so there was no engagement of lawyers before that date.