Beattie’s bank slam

COMMONWEALTH Games chairman Peter Beattie has hit out at the big four banks’ “lame excuses” for not supporting the event.

Mr Beattie last week told the Bulletin the banks needed to “get a social conscience” after none had signed on to sponsor the Games, which he believes will help fight obesity.

He was not impressed with their responses, which included the fact they already sponsor other sporting events.

“I saw the article in the Gold Coast Bulletin about their lame excuses for not supporting the Games,” Mr Beattie said.

“I would have thought the banks have a responsibility to get out and play a constructive role in encouraging young Australians to be active.”

The Games has 55 sponsors including Bulletin publisher News Corp, Woolworths, Griffith University and Optus.