Payout for Vodafone Arena name change

Taxpayers have funded a payout to telecommunications company Vodafone for loss of naming rights during the Commonwealth Games.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks confirmed that Vodafone had received compensation in return for giving up its naming rights of the Vodafone Arena during the recent Games.

Deputy Opposition leader Louise Asher raised the issue in Parliament yesterday, asking how much the Government had paid. Mr Bracks refused to say.

Vodafone Arena, which hosted Cycling, Basketball and Netball, was renamed the Multi Purpose Venue to prevent any clash with Commonwealth Games sponsor Telstra.