Australian sporting stars have been urged to boycott photograph alternatives with Labor MPs within the wake of the Daniel Andrews’ shock name to drag the pin on the Commonwealth Games.
Federal opposition deputy chief Sussan Ley made the decision to arms as she slammed the Prime Minister and Sport Minister Anika Wells for being “missing in action” all through the controversy.
“If our athletes behaved like Daniel Andrews and Anthony Albanese, we wouldn’t win any gold medals. Those two, frankly, have just given up,” she advised ABC’s Insiders.
“By the way, where is Anika Wells, the sport minister? Happy to be in a photo op with the Matildas in the week. But missing in action, radio silence.
“I don’t accept that as our prime minister, Anthony Albanese can step back and take no responsibility. I have a suggestion for all the athletes – don’t have your photo taken with any Labor MPs until this gets sorted.”
Mr Andrews sensationally ripped up the contract for the Games final week after inside figures put the price of staging the occasion throughout 5 regional hubs climbed from $2bn to as much as $7bn.
The Prime Minister beforehand expressed “regret” Australian athletes would now not have the chance to compete in a house Commonwealth Games.
But he burdened it was a matter for the Premier.
“He’s made a decision based upon the changed financial arrangements and costs. The difference that were there between the projected costs and the actual costs,” he mentioned on Thursday.
Ms Ley slammed the federal authorities for not stepping in and exploring “creative solutions” with the state authorities to maintain the Games alive.
But when pressed, she conceded she wasn’t essentially saying Mr Albanese ought to comply with stage the occasion “at any cost”.
“I‘m not saying that at all … At least look for an outcome that restores our international reputation,” she said.
“Because where it is right now, it is pretty low.”
Government lawyers are now locked in negotiations in London over the cost to break the contract.
At a winery on the Bellarine Peninsula on Friday, Mr Andrews was unable to say how much the cancelled contract would cost taxpayers, or when the full cost breakdown would be made public to Victorians.
“I’ll be capable of report back to you on all of those issues and extra when that negotiation is completed,” he mentioned.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
