Victoria State focused on "more important projects" than multi-city Australian bid for 2028 or 2032 Olympics

Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, has indicated the state will not pursue any involvement in a potential bid for the 2028 or 2032 Olympics ©Getty Images

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews has rejected an idea for the Australian state to participate in a joint bid for either the 2028 or 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with New South Wales and Queensland.

The proposition was first suggested by Justin Madden, Minister for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, with the event in Victoria’s state capital and most populous city widely considered to be one of the most successful editions of the multi-sport extravaganza.

Madden outlined his belief last week that the Olympics would fast-track infrastructure projects in the state and boost the economy, but, although welcoming the debate, Andrews indicated that Victoria would be unwilling to pursue or help fund a joint Olympic bid, while announcing a funding increase of $80 million (£53 million/€72 million) in a bid to secure major events in the state.

“This is an idea among many,” Andrews said, as reported by The Age.

“We have many more important projects; ones we took to the election last year.

“In all the different costs the state Government considered before next week's budget a joint Olympic bid was not among them.”

Madden’s initial proposal followed encouragement from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for Australia to bid for the 2028 Olympics, with the country having seemingly opted out of entering the race for 2024.

IOC President Thomas Bach encouraged a future Australian bid on a recent visit to the country ©Getty Images

During his visit to Asia and Oceania, Bach met the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and claimed the country, which last staged the Games at Sydney in 2000, would stand a “very good chance”.

Although Andrews' comments have appeared to end any prospect of the Games returning to state of Victoria for the second time, following the Melbourne 1956 Olympics, Brisbane have already expressed an interest in pursuing a bid in 2028, which will not be awarded until 2021.

The city has emerged as an early contender following a group of South East Queensland Mayors launching a feasibility study into whether the state capital would be a suitable host for what, if successful, would be the third Australian Games following the Melbourne and Sydney editions.

Brisbane previously bid to host the Games in 1992, but lost out in the ballot phase to Barcelona.

Gold Coast, also located in Queensland, is currently preparing to host the 2018 edition of the Commonwealth Games.