The Australian Government is refusing to back a bid for the Commonwealth Games because they want to concentrate their efforts on the World Cup.

 

They are bidding for the 2018 tournament, which England is favourite to win, but are considered more likely to be awarded the 2022 event, which will be decided by world governing body FIFA at the same meeting in December 2010.

 

Bligh claims a successful Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast could help the tourist strip win a part in hosting the World Cup.

 

She said: "Some of the infrastructure that would be built for the Commonwealth Games will be useful for the Gold Coast to get a World Cup game out of the soccer World Cup if we're successful as a nation.

 

"The 2018 and the 2022 World Cup and Commonwealth Games are still up for grabs.

 

"I think we should be going hell for leather and trying to get both of them in a four-year period."

 

Abuja, the Nigerian capital that lost out on the chance to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, has already declared its intention to bid for 2018 while candidates are also expected to emerge from Durban, Nairobi and New Zealand.

 

A decision is due in 2011.