Victoria scraps the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2023

The Victorian government has announced that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will not go ahead in regional Victoria and will be scrapped completely.

The government announced in 2022 that the Games would be hosted across regional Victorian centres, including Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton.

Vic Premier Daniel Andrews says the true cost was likely to be closer to $6 billion or $7 billion and the state simply could not afford it.

The premier has announced a $2 billion spending package for regional Victoria to make up for the loss of the Games, which was to act as a boost for facilities in the host centres.

The Victorian opposition has responded to the news, calling it a “massive humiliation” for the state.

The premier has been asked why the Games couldn’t have been held in Melbourne, rather than cancelled altogether?

He says the government has “looked at every option” but the state couldn’t afford it.

But just repeating the news that the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has scrapped plans for regional Victoria to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Tasmania AFL team confirmed: Macquarie Point stadium legislation passes

Tasmania joins AFL with the Tassie Devils set for 2028; legislation passed for Macquarie Point stadium.

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Tasmania joins AFL with the Tassie Devils set for 2028; legislation passed for Macquarie Point stadium.

Tasmania is officially joining the AFL! After a marathon debate, the Legislative Council has passed the Macquarie Point stadium-precinct legislation 9-5. This milestone paves the way for the Tassie Devils Football Club to join the AFL in 2028, marking a historic moment for Tasmanian sport.

In an exclusive segment of Footynomics: The Business of Sport, Professor Tim Harcourt discusses the significance of this legislation, the social and economic impact of a new AFL team, and why this process took longer than expected.

We also explore what comes next for Tasmania, the AFL, and the broader implications for sports both in Australia and internationally.

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#TasmaniaAFL #TassieDevils #AFLExpansion #Footynomics #MacquariePoint #SportsEconomics #AustralianFootball #TickerNews

News

Australian Dollar hits five-week high amid weak GDP and US Dollar

Australian dollar hits five-week high amid soft US dollar, traders eye RBA policies and Fed meeting impacts.

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar hits five-week high amid soft US dollar, traders eye RBA policies and Fed meeting impacts.

The Australian dollar has surged to a five-week high as disappointing GDP data and a softer US dollar reshape trader expectations. Market participants are closely watching the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next policy meeting to gauge future interest rate decisions.

We sit down with Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX to break down what these developments mean for the Australian economy and global markets. From Q3 growth figures to inflation indicators, Steve explains the key drivers behind the Aussie dollar’s recent gains.

Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, as a weaker US dollar could have further implications for the Australian currency. Stay informed with expert insights and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

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#AustralianDollar #ForexNews #AUD #GDPUpdate #USdollar #InterestRates #RBA #MarketAnalysis

News

EU launches antitrust probe into Meta over WhatsApp AI policy

EU probes Meta’s WhatsApp AI chatbot policy for potential antitrust violations affecting third-party developers and competition.

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

EU probes Meta’s WhatsApp AI chatbot policy for potential antitrust violations affecting third-party developers and competition.

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Meta over WhatsApp’s new AI chatbot policy. The inquiry examines whether the policy restricts third-party AI developers from accessing WhatsApp’s business tools, potentially breaching EU competition rules.

Meta updated its terms, effective January 2026, which have already barred new AI providers since October 15. The rules prohibit AI developers from using WhatsApp as their primary service, affecting a number of AI companies looking to integrate with the platform.

The EU’s competition commissioner is considering interim measures to ensure fair competition. If Meta is found in violation, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.

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#Meta #WhatsApp #EURegulation #AIChatbots #TechNews #Antitrust #DigitalCompetition #MetaAI