Vic: Funding not enough for 2006 games: Madden

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2000
Vic: Funding not enough for 2006 games: Madden

MELBOURNE, Aug 23 AAP - The former Kennett government's commitment of almost $300 million
for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne was inadequate, Victorian Sports Minister
Justin Madden said today.

Mr Madden said the previous government had failed to thoroughly examine the cost of
the games after successfully bidding for them.

The projected cost of the games would need to be reviewed - a process that could take
up to two years.

"Early indications from the Melbourne 2006 Committee indicate that the Kennett government's
expenditure budget of just under $300 million was inadequate and failed to capture all
project costs," Mr Madden said in a statement.

Mr Madden said the Bracks government was still committed to the games and would deliver
them in a manner that was financially responsible.

Many of the costs of events would not be known until the games drew closer, and the
number and types of sports to be played would not be decided until after the 2002 games
in Manchester.

The level of funding support from the federal government and local governments was
also yet to be confirmed.

AAP tsc/jlw/mg

KEYWORD: GAMES (CARRIED EARLIER)

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