Commonwealth Games cost blowout known by government for months, Daniel Andrews confirms

Victorian premier says it is possible a $5bn budget allocation was proposed earlier this year, prior to Games being cancelled

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Daniel Andrews says he has been aware for months that the cost of Victoria hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games had increased beyond the original $2.6bn budget, but would not confirm if state Treasury officials rejected a bid to increase it to $5bn.

The premier said there may have been a proposal by the agency responsible for delivering the Games for an increased funding allocation ahead of the state budget in May, as reported by the Age.

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