“The hoodwink is up”: White calls on Comm Games Federation to return Victorian taxpayers' money

SEN’s Matt White has teed off at the Commonwealth Games Federation as the fallout from the decision to move the 2026 event continues.

When the cost of the 2026 games was projected to go $4 billion over budget, the Victorian Government conceded defeat and left the future of the event up in the air.

However, a new host was found in Glasgow, with the Victorian Government set to foot the significantly reduced bill of around $200 million.

The frustration around the decision continues to grow and White has leapt to the defence of the Victorian taxpayers and issued an urgent statement to the governing body.

“When is anyone going to wise up? When is anyone going to wake up and work it out, when is anyone going to sit here and listen to what we’ve been saying for a long time, it seems never” White SEN 1170 Mornings.

“It’s time for the Commonwealth Games Federation, the keeper of the keys of the Commonwealth Games to end this complete charade and give the money back, give it back to Australia, give it back to Victorian taxpayers.

“Take it out of your bank balance over there in London that’s watching all of this interest just pile up and give it back to the people who should’ve never handed it to you in the first place.

“Not just because you’ve culled a bunch of sports for Glasglow’s second coming in 2026, not just because it’s a low-cost, low-rent shadow of its former self but because the hoodwink is up, the game is up.

“Why should Australia be paying for a Commonwealth Games to be held in Scotland?

“Why should Victorian taxpayers pay to save a seriously flawed concept, an event and an organisation that has tripped over itself cycle after Commonwealth cycle just to find someone, somewhere who’s willing to stump up for it.”

Listen to Matty’s extended chat below.