Victorian Premier plays down Melbourne Olympic bid

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has played down talk that Melbourne could bid to host the 2024 or 2028 Olympic Games after the city's Mayor, Robert Doyle, championed its credentials.
Having this week topped the Global Liveability Survey for the second successive year, Mayor Doyle suggested that Australia's sporting capital has all the necessary infrastructure in place to stage a second Games.
Mayor Doyle told Reuters "I don't think there'd be another city in the world not hosting the Olympics that is as well prepared as we are right now.
"Think what we could do if we did dream large for 2024 or 2028."
Mayor Doyle continued by stating a Melbourne bid would represent a cost-effective Games, adding "we would do it differently. We wouldn't try to replicate bigger and better. We'd do it in a very Melbourne way. You find ways you can do things that are memorable that are typically us and within our budget."
However, while Premier Baillieu refused to close the door on a possible Olympic bid, he maintained that the State must first focus on financial matters.
According to The Australian newspaper, Premier Ballieu stated "Melbourne has a fantastic track record for major events.
"We do sporting events very well. Weve got a fantastic calendar through the year.
"Our focus currently is on rebuilding budget capacity, focusing on productivity, and focusing on growing our economy. Obviously, we have a track record that would put us in a position to think about it in the future."
Any aspirations that Melbourne may hold for an Olympic bid would also be hindered by the Australian Olympic Committee having publicly stated that it would throw its full support behind Brisbane for the country's next Olympic Games bid.
Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956.