The WA government has sharply criticised Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas’ call for Perth to launch a late bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, branding the idea a “brain fart” that could cost the state “billions.”
Zempilas made the pitch in an interview with Seven West Media, urging the state to act despite missing the March 31 deadline to submit an expression of interest.
“Perth may never be in a position to host an Olympics, yet this would have given us all of the excitement for a fraction of the cost, with all this current crop of outstanding athletes just two years before they compete in Brisbane,” he said.
“We should be on the phone and saying, ‘here’s what we are prepared to pay’.”
The proposal comes after a strong showing from WA athletes — including Gout Gout, Lachlan Kennedy, Jessica Hull and Peter Bol — who drew large crowds at the Australian Athletics Championships held in Perth over the weekend.
Acting Sports Minister John Carey rejected the idea outright.
“Do WA taxpayers want to spend more than $2 billion, which is half of the health infrastructure budget, on one event in WA?” he said on ABC Radio Perth.
“Our government is saying that this is a brain fart, a thought bubble, it’s bonkers. Let’s focus on the things that matter to West Australians.”
“Basil is always after the headline, the quick grab, but he doesn’t think about the implications for WA taxpayers,” Carey added.
A spokesperson for Zempilas said he was unavailable for comment Friday morning.
Zempilas previously pushed for Perth to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Lord Mayor, after Victoria pulled out due to projected costs.
Source: ABC.
