EY says it used the same framework as other major events
Ernst & Young (EY), a consulting firm that helped prepare the business case for Victoria’s cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games, has defended its work before a federal inquiry. EY partner Dean Yates said the firm used the “same framework” that it applied to other major events such as the Melbourne Grand Prix. He said EY stood by its contribution to the business case, which was released by the state government last weekend.
The business case estimated the cost of hosting the event at $2.5 billion, with an expected $200 million contribution from the federal government. However, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced earlier this month that the event was scrapped after the cost blew out to almost $7 billion. He also criticised the business case as “hardly the greatest piece of work”.
EY faces questions about federal funding assumption
The federal inquiry, which is investigating the cancellation of the event, questioned EY representatives about the assumption that the federal government would provide more than $200 million for the games. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson pressed Yates about what assumptions underpinned the expected federal contribution. Yates said it was “an assumption that we took at face value”.
Henderson also accused EY of “blatantly breaching the rules of the Senate” after the representatives refused to answer questions about federal government funding. Leigh Walker, another partner at EY, said she could not answer the question because it could reveal confidential cabinet information.
Commonwealth Games Australia hopes to find another host
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) organisers also appeared before the inquiry and said they were focused on trying to find another host for the 2026 event. CGA chief executive Craig Phillips said he was disappointed by Victoria’s decision to cancel the games, which he said would have been a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for regional Victoria.
Phillips said CGA had not given up on hosting the games in Australia and was in discussions with other potential hosts, including Queensland and Western Australia. He said CGA had until December 2023 to submit a bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation.
