The Games Bill: What Suffered?
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday October 25, 2000
FIRSTLY, a big hooray for the greatest spectacle I have ever seen or am likely to see, the 2000 Olympics, and that's from one of its biggest critics - me.
But now can I ask: who takes responsibility for the $2 billion-plus overrun that has come out of the public purse? I say overrun because we were told repeatedly there would be no cost to the public for these Games.
The other big question is: what suffered in order to produce this extra money and how long before the state puts the $2 billion back into whatever suffered? It is no use saying that nothing suffered. Funding to public services had to be cut in order to come up with such a huge amount.
Are we to expect Howard-type rhetoric from a Labor premier or will we see the truth from a Government that wishes to go to the next state election with a chance of winning?
There is no doubt more than $3 billion came from the public purse to pay for the 2000 Olympics but political manoeuvring and manipulation can hide a great deal.
If things continue to deteriorate - such as the closure of police stations, recently announced - then we'll start to wonder whether the debt has been paid in full or whether we suffer the loss of more public services for a few more years until it's been paid for.
- KEV WADESON, Bellambi.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
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