Gold Coast’s ticketing strategy for the 2018 Commonwealth Games has come under fire after it was revealed that taxpayers could be forced to foot a AUS$15m (£9.1m/€10.1m/$11.4m) shortfall in revenue.
TickTechNews reported on Monday that organisers had announced plans to offer more than half the tickets for the multi-sport event at below AUS$40 when the sales process launches in April.
Ticket receipts are set to bring in “between $50-60m”, however this is well down on the $65.3m that was put forward during the region’s bid process.
During Question Time in the Queensland State Parliament, Opposition MPs questioned the Government’s changing position on revenue and budgets after announcing family-friendly ticket prices.
MP Michael Hart asked Minister Sterling Hinchliffe, who is in charge of the Games, if he would “guarantee that taxpayers will not be left to pick up the tab for the difference”.
Hinchliffe said: “I can absolutely assure that we will see the funding envelope for the 2018 Commonwealth Games will remain at the $2bn mark that has been set down and in place for some time.”
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