The cost of Victoria cancelling the 2026 Commonwealth Games remains a mystery, with the state government now locked in compensation talks.
Victoria has renounced hosting the 93-year-old global sports event, citing a forecast cost blowout from $2.6 billion to up to $7b in just over a year since the initial estimate was revealed.
Big four consulting firm EY was involved in formulating the original business case to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria but not the updated version.
Games organisers claim the revised figure is grossly exaggerated and the Labor government ignored cost-cutting options, including moving the event to Melbourne and reducing the number of sports and regional hubs.
In the regional town of Maryborough, Mr Andrews refused to publicly refute those claims as discussions with leaders of the Commonwealth Games in London to terminate its contract are underway.
"I will not put at risk the interest of Victorian taxpayers by running commentary and getting into an argument," he told reporters on Wednesday.
About a decade ago, the Queensland government investigated the cost of axing the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and determined it would be more than $1b. The Games went ahead.
The figure was revealed in estimates in 2018 and it could come in higher for Victoria given skyrocketing inflation and the limited time for organisers to find a replacement host.
All other Australian states and territories have ruled out coming to the rescue.
Mr Andrews pledged to report the final cost but refused to speculate on what the final bill could be or say how much taxpayer money had already been spent preparing for the Games.
The premier said the government considered hosting the Games exclusively in Melbourne but suggested it still would have cost more than $4b.
He would not reveal who decided not to work with organisers to shift the Games but repeatedly reiterated Victoria's pitch was to host the event across the regions to reap legacy infrastructure and housing benefits.
No apology was offered to the 5000-odd athletes who were expected to compete across more than 20 sports or business owners in the selected regional hubs of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton and Gippsland.
"I'm sorry that we are in this position but I'm not going to apologise for not taking money out of hospitals and schools," the premier said.
Former Queensland Peter Beattie, who chaired the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, warned it won't be easy for Victoria to break its deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation.
"They do it on a regular basis with a tight contract and the contract will be difficult to get out of," Mr Beattie told Nine's Today program.
The Victorian Auditor-General has been asked by the state opposition to investigate the taxpayer bill to cancel the Games and how the initial cost estimate was so far off the mark.
"Victoria's reputation has been blemished by the actions of the Andrews government and we can't let it stand," Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto said.
