The Western Australia government has ruled out hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games. They described it as a “brain fart” that would end up costing the state billions. This dismissal follows on the heels of the international community efforts that have laid the groundwork for a 2030 host city announcement, which we anticipate in November. India, Nigeria, and Canada previously announced their bids to host this event. At the same time, New Zealand has expressed interest in hosting the 2034 Games.
Basil Zempilas, the Opposition Leader and former Lord Mayor of Perth, advocates for a bid to bring the Commonwealth Games to Western Australia. He contends the positive vibes from staging such an event would provide a massive boost to local sportsmen and women. With the 2026 Brisbane Commonwealth Games looming, this opportunity is all the more crucial. The present federal administration is doubtful about the fiscal soundness of pursuing such an endeavor.
Financial Concerns Over Hosting
The WA government has been adamant that hosting the Commonwealth Games would bring an unacceptable financial burden on WA taxpayers. Acting Sports Minister John Carey insists Queenslanders should carefully consider the millions in costs that will be needed to host the Games. He cited the precedent of Victoria, where a $2.6 billion budget ballooned under enormous overruns, forcing the relocation of the event to Glasgow.
“The magnitude of this cost in comparison to everything else you have mentioned is extraordinary,” – Acting Sports Minister John Carey
This Victorian government retreat from hosting the 2026 Games should be a warning to WA decision makers. Zempilas’s push comes at a time when costs for hosting sporting events have continued to increase, resulting in huge public backlash.
Local Support and Athletic Aspirations
Local sports officials and advocates have been working to bring large-scale events to WA. They are focused on breaking governmental inertia and opposition to ensure that this can happen. Australian Athletics is on record in their support of any Commonwealth Games bid. The recently completed Australian Athletics Championships in Perth were played out in front of boisterous, record-breaking crowds, indicating the depth of local interest in athletics.
Regional General Manager at Athletics West, David Smith has experienced a recent updraft in enthusiasm for the sport across the region. Recent federal investments have helped stoke this enthusiasm. He emphasized WA’s capability to host high-level competitions due to its well-equipped stadiums and strong partnerships between local tourism and sporting bodies.
“We know we’ve got good stadiums, we know the partnerships between Tourism WA, the state and national sporting bodies is very strong,” – David Smith
This surge of interest in athletics has put the spotlight on WA sprinter Gout Gout. He has become something of a local athletic hero.
Mixed Reactions to Zempilas’s Campaign
Zempilas’s campaign for hosting the Commonwealth Games has received a mixed response from politicians and the general public. Others argue it could bring major positives, including greater sporting prestige and improved community and international connectivity. At the same time, critics are raising alarm over what this undertaking will cost taxpayers.
Premier Roger Cook reiterated his reservations regarding Zempilas’s proposition, citing the lack of compelling evidence that hosting such an event would yield a return on investment justifying its high costs.
“I’m yet to see anything in relation to the numbers around the Commonwealth Games which suggest the return on the investment justifies the expense,” – Premier Roger Cook
Zempilas is still insisting that hosting the Commonwealth Games would provide these life-changing opportunities to local athletes and unite the community ahead of the event. Further, he became known for arguing that Perth should never host the Olympics. The Commonwealth Games may provide that major, high-profile sporting stage at a much lower cost.
“Perth may never be in a position to host an Olympics, yet this would have given us all of the excitement for a fraction of the cost,” – Basil Zempilas
Debates over the legacy of this year’s big sporting events in Australia are already taking place. It remains to be seen if Western Australia will reconsider its bid to host the Commonwealth Games.
