A Victorian parliamentary committee is seeking submissions on a range of issues including the advice given to the state government by councils, agencies and government departments ahead of its decision to dump the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The parliament voted earlier this month to set up the Legislative Council Select Committee of nine members, including three MPs each from the government, opposition and crossbench to look at the government’s decision to scrap the event.

The parliamentary probe is one of three inquiries into the Commonwealth Games affair, including a Senate inquiry which held public hearings on Monday.

Committee Chair David Limbrick said the select committee will consider whether failures of governance, probity and procurement contributed to the decision.

It also wants to hear about the impact the decision had on business, tourism and major events, as well as community, social, amateur and professional sport, and Victoria’s reputation.

The timeline, progress and budget of the Victorian government’s regional infrastructure and housing build will also be scrutinised.

“We’ll be investigating the advice received from government departments, councils, agencies, consultants and contractors, and examining the potential undue influence of the executive on the independence of the public service,” Mr Limbrick said.

The full terms of reference are available here.

Submissions can be made until October 23 and public hearing will be heard ahead of an interim report by April 30 next year.

A final report is due by April 2025.

Auditor to investigate costs, advice

The Victorian auditor general has also announced an investigation into the costs associated with securing, planning for and exiting from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the quality of the advice provided to government.

The inquiry also provides an opportunity to identify “any relevant lessons arising from the state’s involvement in the Games to support future planning and management of major events”, the audit office says.

The audit will look at Department of Premier and Cabinet; Department of Treasury and Finance; Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions; Department of Transport and Planning; Development Victoria; Victoria 2026 Pty Ltd; City of Greater Geelong; City of Greater Bendigo; City of Ballarat; Latrobe City Council; and City of Greater Shepparton.

Meanwhile, a third Inquiry by the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee is currently underway, with public hearings in Melbourne and Bendigo.

The government announced last month that the cost of the Games, slated to be held from March 17-29 in 2026 across Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton, had blown out from $2.6 billion to potentially more than $7 billion, and Premier Daniel Andrews said he wasn’t prepared to foot the cost.

He later confirmed the government had reached a settlement with Commonwealth Games bodies which would see it pay out $380 million in compensation for its decision to tear up the contract.

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