Games bid doomed after Liberal Party lines up to say no
The Liberal Party has finally come out against the government's HK$6 billion bid to host the 2023 Asian Games, dooming the plan to failure.
At least 37 legislators - including those from the three major political parties: the Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Civic Party - had already said they would vote against the government's motion for funding scheduled for Friday.
The latest development means all three legislators from the Liberal Party will join them. So far, only 14 lawmakers have openly pledged support for the bid.
Unless something drastic changes, the government's proposal faces certain defeat.
Liberal Party chairwoman Miriam Lau Kin-yee said yesterday the party's decision was based on the government's failure to give convincing answers about the games' impact on the city's long-term economic benefits and planning for sports development.
She said the government had also failed to ensure that infrastructure built for the events would not turn out to be 'white elephants'.
'The budgets given by the government made us very uncomfortable,' she said. 'We support the idea of promoting the Hong Kong economy with mega events. But this plan is unconvincing.
'At one point, the government said the games would cost HK$40 billion. Then it became HK$6 billion. Later it said the figure would actually be HK$30 billion.
'We are afraid the ultimate expenditure may far exceed the estimation given by the government.'
The Home Affairs Bureau said it was still working to gain lawmakers' support at Friday's meeting, and the government has been approaching uncommitted members on the Legco Financial Committee.
DAB Legco caucus convenor Ip Kwok-him reiterated the party's decision to vote against the motion, saying its members would stay in the chamber to vote.
