Dan Andrews faces calls to resign after he canceled the Commonwealth Games due to funding issues

Angry Australians, including famous faces, have called for the resignation of Daniel Andrews after he announced the 2026 Commonwealth Games would be canceled due to funding issues.

The Premier made the announcement on Tuesday, and the Games’ highest body revealed that it had only been said eight hours earlier.

“What became clear is that the cost of hosting these games is not the $2.6 billion that was allocated, it’s at least $6 or $7 billion,” he said.

The rights to host the 2026 event were awarded to the Victoria region last year after none of the 70 countries in the Commonwealth Games Federation raised their hands.

Andrews said he would not draw funds from hospitals and schools to finance the event, but many criticized the prime minister’s decision.

Journalist Sandra Sully said the decision was a watershed moment for grassroots sport in Australia.

“The future health of our children is in jeopardy,” he tweeted.

“We, as a sport, are among the best in the world, but we fight every year to support the thousands of children who want to play… not just the sport, but also Australia.”

Sully, who is the vice president of Hockey Australia, also shared a statement issued by the sports body.

Hockey Australia said it was a “missed opportunity” for hockey and other Commonwealth Games sports to build their profiles.

“Our dedicated and hard-working athletes will miss out on the precious and rare opportunity to compete at home in front of friends, family and the Australian sporting public,” the statement read.

Australia celebrate victory during the netball gold medal match against Jamaica at the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. The Commonwealth Games are important to netball players, as the sport is not played at the Olympic Games.

“Hockey is a sport with strong ties, particularly in the Australian region, so this announcement will be disappointing to people in those regional Victorian communities who would have been able to support and see the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras in action.

“For youth grassroots hockey players, the exposure at these Games would have provided and the opportunity for these players to see their heroes up close in their own backyard is now a missed opportunity. You cannot be what you cannot see.

Former United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly called Andrews a “national embarrassment” in a scathing tirade.

He has run out of other people’s money. His hysterical Covid policies and years of politicized spending to buy votes, all with borrowed money, has bankrupted Victoria,” she said.

‘Dan Andrews should resign in disgrace.’

Others also expressed their opinions, with one saying that Andrews had lost his support.

Journalist Sandra Sully said the decision was a watershed moment for grassroots sport in Australia.

Former US MP Craig Kelly called Mr Andrews a “national embarrassment” in a scathing tirade

“I have supported and defended you for a long time, Dan, even during the lockdowns,” they said.

I’m done, you’ve lost me. You have to resign for the good of all in Australia.

Another said it was an “embarrassing failure.”

‘Just quit and end this now! Victoria is the laughingstock of the country,’ they tweeted.

Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor was also shocked by the decision, and hopes the 2026 edition will relocate, portraying the Games as crucial in the run-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics..

Other Victorians also lashed out at the prime minister for his decision to cancel the Games.

“It is disappointing for the Australian public to miss out on that event, which we know is a great opportunity for our athletes to represent their country,” Taylor told AAP.

‘I’m disappointed they don’t get the chance to do that…the athletes perform in front of the home crowds.

‘That’s a really important competition not only for swimming but also for our nation.

“Particularly with the build up to Brisbane (Olympics), it’s always nice to have international competition.”

A total of 307 of Australia’s 1,001 gold medals, the most of any country at the Commonwealth Games, have been won in the group.

Meanwhile, some Victorians have applauded Andrews for his decision, saying the funds are needed elsewhere.

‘Dan Andrews is doing exactly what he was reelected to do. Put Victoria first. The Commonwealth Games are irrelevant,” wrote one.

“Difficult times for many people right now that affect food, housing, health, transportation. Dan Andrews has shown true leadership and made the right decision,” said another.

‘That’s good. Who gives a fuck about sports when housing is an issue? Well done Dan Andrews,” read another tweet.

The reason behind the shock decision stems from the state’s financial woes, with Victoria’s debt forecast at $135.4 billion in 2024 rising to $171.4 billion by 2026-27.

“I will not take money from hospitals and schools to fund an event that is three times the estimated and budgeted cost for last year,” Mr. Andrews said.

In an angry statement, the Commonwealth Games Federation said it had only been informed of Victoria’s decision hours before.

“We are disappointed that we have only been given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration has been given to discussing the situation to find joint solutions before the government makes this decision,” it said in a statement.

Swimming champion James Magnussen said the decision was a blow to the athletes.

“Up to this point, the government had advised that sufficient funds were available to carry out the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

Legendary sportscaster Bruce McAvaney called the shocking announcement a “disgrace.”

He said the Games now face a “big challenge” and the event could end entirely.

“It’s a huge shock… I didn’t see it coming,” McAvaney told Radio 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

Swimming champion James Magnussen said the decision was a blow to the athletes.

‘Extremely disappointing as an athlete. The Comm Games hold a special place in the Australian sporting calendar,’ said Magnussen, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

“The Home Games inspire a whole new generation of athletes and is one of the few recruiting tools a sport like swimming has.

“It is also a disappointment for rural athletes and coaches in Victoria who would benefit from new and/or improved facilities.”