Vic: 2006 games costs not underestimated, oppn

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2000
Vic: 2006 games costs not underestimated, oppn

The Victorian Liberal Party has denied understating the costs of hosting the 2006 Commonwealth
Games.

Opposition leader DENIS NAPTHINE has savaged sports minister JUSTIN MADDEN's failure
to produce a Games budget on time, accusing Labor of incompetence in running major events.

Mr MADDEN has told a parliamentary committee the previous government had failed to
examine the full cost of the Games after successfully bidding for them.

The state government is examining a possible blowout into the costs of the Commonwealth
Games after yesterday saying the Kennett government's estimate of $300 million was too
low.

The sports minister says the costs of many of the events won't be known until the games
draw closer.

AAP RTV pjb/jlw/jcc/jn

KEYWORD: GAMES (MELBOURNE)

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