Do we really need these circuses?

Kenneth Davidson (Opinion, 8/12) has again cast sufficient doubt on the veracity of matters surrounding the Commonwealth Games to prompt Victorians to ask why successive governments sponsor and/or subsidise events whose benefits are either nebulous or limited.

The "actual" economic benefits rely entirely on modelling that is founded on extrapolation. In disciplines other than economics such methodology would be dismissed as fanciful speculation.

The fact that the two major political parties seem beholden to the cult of the major event allows practices to flourish that would not be tolerated in any other context.

The Commonwealth Games is being financed by public funds. The value received by Victorians should therefore be accounted for publicly. Given Davidson's continuing, damning revelations, is it too much to expect some clear, detailed explanation from the relevant minister?
Iain Stewart, South Melbourne

A real return for Victorians

The suggestion by Kenneth Davidson that the Government should abandon signed contracts relating to the Commonwealth Games village on the basis of his own flawed calculations is not only irresponsible but is certainly no way for any government to conduct business.

Clearly Davidson just doesn't get it: his view that cruise ships would provide a better option for athlete accommodation is flawed for many reasons. He obviously has not considered other infrastructure costs and requirements needed to house 6000 athletes and officials over an extended period.

Also, Davidson's view is incredibly short-sighted. Cruise ships would leave no social or environmental legacies for Victorians. It seems he would simply prefer to see taxpayers' money sail into the sunset.

Our decision to build the village on the site of the former psychiatric hospital at Parkville - which has never been parkland - has achieved some excellent economic, social and environmental outcomes for the state, including retention and renovation of nine derelict heritage buildings; creation of 200 public housing apartments, houses and units; showcasing best-practice energy and water management systems; creation of a magnificent wetlands precinct in the adjacent Royal Park; and addition of 1.4 hectares of land to the permanent Royal Park reservation.

The cruise ship option would have left us with none of this - absolutely no net benefits for Victoria.
Justin Madden,
Minister for the Commonwealth Games

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/08/1070732140543.html