Sunrise host Monique Wright cracked it at Jason Clare as she poured cold water on the Gold Coast’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games: ‘Don’t we need that in Australia?’
Gold Coast mayor suggests city could host Games Daniel Andrews scraps regional Victoria’s 2026 plan Jason Clare scraps Gold Coast funding appeal
A top minister has poured cold water on a Gold Coast mayor’s suggestion that the city could go ahead and host the Commonwealth Games – a sunrise that has sparked a fiery response from the host.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews abruptly pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games this week, blaming his shock decision on a cost blow-out and the state’s ballooning debt.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate suggested on Thursday the city could host the Games again, but warned the city would need a helping hand from the federal government.
But when Channel Seven presenter Monique Wright asked Education Minister Jason Clare how much the Federal Government was prepared to pay the Gold Coast, Mr Clare indicated the proposal was dead in the water.
‘Where our focus is, we’re investing $3.4 billion in the Olympic Games in Brisbane,’ Mr Clare replied, referring to the 2032 Olympics.
‘So you’re happy for us to lose the Commonwealth Games?’ Wright fired back.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ shock decision to withdraw as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games has sparked outrage. Australian netballers Liz Watson and Gretel Bueta pictured after winning gold at the 2022 Games in Birmingham
Mr Clare responded that he understood the athletes would be devastated, but did not answer the question directly – noting that the weather would be warmer, but the government was focused on the Olympics.
He described the Gold Coast hosting the Games as ‘less likely to focus on the investment we’re making in Brisbane until 2032.’
Wright replied: ‘What a shame.’
Also appearing in the Sunrise segment was Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Ley, who shook her head in disgust at Mr Clare’s comments.
‘I’m in Melbourne, it’s an international embarrassment,’ he said.
Sunrise co-host Monique Wright slams federal government over Commonwealth Games failure on Friday
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also denied putting up cash for the Gold Coast.
Cr Tate appeared on Sunrise shortly after the fiery interview in which he blasted Mr Clare’s comments and suggested the minister did not have the full facts.
His city hosted the Commonwealth Games just five years ago, where the infrastructure remains.
‘My predicament is, we’re not asking for any more money, we’re just asking for operational funding that he has to spend on Victoria, so it’s a reallocation of funding that’s already been set aside,’ Cr Tate said.
The Gold Coast is poised to host the second Commonwealth Games in eight years. Pictured are swimmers Molly O’Callaghan, Ariern Titmus and Madison Wilson at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
The Mayor agreed with Ms Leigh that the failure of the Commonwealth Games was an embarrassment to the world
He made his promise that the Gold Coast would not withdraw if the city’s Games bid was successful.
‘When we shake hands and do a deal, we’re good on our word that the Gold Coast can absolutely deliver it and not for any more money because they really have the money allocated,’ Cr Tate said.
‘I told you it’s a great investment, the same money and they’ll continue to get a $2.7 million return on that investment if we have the Games here on the Gold Coast.’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) this week withdrew as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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