Jacinta Allan was told of $1.9bn extra cost for Commonwealth Games four months before it was cancelled, inquiry hears

Department head says now Victorian premier was briefed on revised budget requirements', with $4.5bn estimate not approved

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The government department tasked with overseeing the 2026 Commonwealth Games warned the now Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, four months before the event was cancelled that an extra $1.9bn would be required to host it in five regional cities.

Tim Ada, the secretary of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, has told a state upper house inquiry into the event's cancellation that the estimated budget for hosting the Commonwealth Games grew from $2.6bn in March 2022 to $4.5bn a year later.

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