Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells signals backing for potential Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid

The Federal Government is reported to have offered support for a bid by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to rescue the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

With the Victorian Government having last month relinquished its hosting of the 2026 Games, Mayor Tate has repeatedly suggested that the Gold Coast, which staged the 2018 Games, could step in - possibly as part of a joint hosting plan with Perth.

Addressing the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games and the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, it was revealed that Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells wrote to Mayor Tate last week offering the Federal Government’s conditional support.

Minister Wells’ letter stated “as I am sure you are aware, the decision to host a major sporting event such as this is a matter for state and territory governments.

“It is the host jurisdiction, not the Commonwealth Government, which enters into the required host contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation and is responsible for delivering the Games.

“As such, any potential alternative host city, or cities, would be for each jurisdiction to consider.

“Should support be forthcoming from the Queensland Government for the Gold Coast to bid to host the 2026 Games, the Commonwealth Government would be willing to consider such a proposal.”

Tate said he was “heartened to see Minister Wells is open minded”, noting “I have immediately written to the Premier and asked her to reconsider her position.

“The athletes and para-athletes are my primary concern along with the country’s reputation.

“I’m certain this can be done for under a billion (dollars) which is just a fraction of the $7 billion it blew out to in Victoria.”

Minister Wells’ apparent support is a marked change from the Federal Government having not supported Victoria’s Games in this year’s Federal budget and comments made a month ago by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who ruled out any Federal funds.

Prime Minister Albanese stated “if Tom Tate wants to hold the Commonwealth Games he should fund it. We’ve made a substantial contribution to the (2032) Olympics.”

Images: Athletics at Metricon Stadium (top), Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells (middle) and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate (below).