NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said that the state "should push for western Sydney to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games because it would force transport and affordable housing to be prioritised," according to Alexandra Smith of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Foley's call comes after Commonwealth Games Australia Head Craig Phillips wrote to all premiers last week seeking expressions of interest to host the Games in '26 or '30. Foley said, "The Sydney Olympics showed that NSW works well to a deadline and this would be the ideal deadline to work towards." Phillips asked premiers and chief ministers for expressions of interest by July so that an Australian city "could be chosen" by the organization at its November board meeting. Foley said that '26 "would coincide with the planned opening of Sydney's new airport at Badgerys Creek and would speed up the north south rail link," which will initially link St Marys to Western Sydney Airport. Foley added that it could also "fast-track" the metro rail line from Parramatta to the CBD (SMH, 5/19).
