Gold Coast Council Mayor, Tom Tate, has appeared on live national television this morning to push his case for Victoria’s cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games to be held on the GC after the region successfully hosted the event back in 2018.
The Mayor says the region already has the necessary infrastructure and his Council would require just four weeks to pull together its formal bid for the Games.
“The main thing we would want is bi-partisan support from the Federal Government,” the Mayor told Today host, Karl Stefanovic.
“Then we need four weeks to do a full presentation to the State Government, and we’re off.”
The Mayor described Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews’ decision to cancel the Games as comedic.
“He’s got his problems and he’s continued to be our best ambassador to drive all Victorians to move to the Gold Coast, so well done Dan, here’s another one,” he said.
“It’a a comedy festival down there.”
Mayor Tate’s statements today appear at odds with those of Gold Coast Councillor Donna Gates, who three days ago told the Brisbane Times it would be impractical for any new host city, including the Gold Coast, to take on the Games commitment in such a short timeframe.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk has also dismissed the idea of Queensland taking on the Games hosting duties.
The Premier also took a veiled swipe at Premier Andrews following news of the Games cancellation, saying in a press conference that she had delivered the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games “under budget and ahead of schedule”.
