The Mayor is refusing to give up on his dream of the Gold Coast hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite failing to convince the state government.
Tom Tate met with the Premier and cabinet ministers on the Gold Coast on Monday but was told in no uncertain terms the state would not back the city stepping in to take over the event after Victoria pulled the pin.
“Let’s say she’s adamant on focusing on Olympic Games, which is fair enough. It’s fair enough that she’s not entertaining it,” Mayor Tate said.
But that has not deterred him, with the Mayor saying the ball is in the federal government’s court.
Mayor Tate has previously called on Canberra to divert the funding it would have given Victoria to the Gold Coast.
He’s now suggesting funding for the Gold Coast Games should form part of any compensation package that Victoria will be forced to pay the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“It’s really going to be up to the federal government. Because my assessment is that Victoria government has broken the contract, that’s going to be a payout figure.
“If it’s a huge payout figure, meaning 500 million pounds, well, who’s footing that?
“If it’s the federal government, then why don’t just give us half of that..and negotiate that (and) the commonwealth (games) still continue.”
