❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Premier about a potential $500M commitment to the NRL amid a cost-of-living crisis. The Premier denies specific figures were discussed, expresses strong support for a WA NRL team, and emphasizes negotiating a deal beneficial for WA.
AnsweredQoN 897Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE — EXPANSION
897. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
recent meeting with Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'landys
in relation to a Western Australian National
Rugby League licence, and reports that the Australian Rugby League Commission is asking the WA government to commit to up to $500 million. During a cost-of-living
crisis, is it appropriate for the Premier to commit to anywhere near that
amount?
897. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
recent meeting with Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'landys
in relation to a Western Australian National
Rugby League licence, and reports that the Australian Rugby League Commission is asking the WA government to commit to up to $500 million. During a cost-of-living
crisis, is it appropriate for the Premier to commit to anywhere near that
amount?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
It gives me a chance to talk about one of my favourite subjects, so I apologise
to the chamber: this may take some time!
No numbers of that nature were
discussed with the NRL. The number referred to by the member comes from sports
reports on the east coast. If that is the full length and breadth of his
research in preparation for question time, I urge him to source his information
from more reliable sources. However, there is only one state in this country
that can put the N in NRL, and that is Western Australia. There is only one
state in this country that can expand that competition to a whole new set of
eyeballs in a whole different time zone, and that is Western Australia. It is
therefore not surprising that the NRL is deadset keen to see a Western Australian
team in the national competition. It is also no surprise, given my youth, that
I am right on board with that!
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : I am very keen
to see an NRL team in Western Australia, but we will make sure that we do that
on terms that are good for Western Australia, because I will always do what is
right for WA. We will make sure that we get
the sort of agreement with the NRL that will mean we can continue to grow
options for sport engagement in Western Australia. We also know that —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr
R.H. COOK : We also know that
having a team in the NRL will increase our economic activity, because every time a team comes over for a WA home game, they will bring supporters with
them, so it will be a great win for the Western Australia community. We also
note that the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition
wrote to the NRL endorsing the idea of a Western Australian team. There are a lot
of reports around the expansion of the NRL competition, and it is a matter of
public record that the Prime Minister wants to see the competition expanded to
Papua New Guinea.
It is interesting. I could continue
for some time, Madam Speaker.
The SPEAKER : I hope not.
Mr R.H. COOK : I know the
Minister for Housing is keen to answer a question that I think he is
anticipating! Papua New Guinea is the only
country on earth that has rugby league as its national sport, so from that
perspective I can understand why, in light of the great alliance our
country has with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific nations, the Prime Minister
would be keen to see a Papua New Guinean side, but that does not exclude the
idea of a Western Australian side at some point in the future as well. We will
continue to engage with the NRL in relation to this exciting proposal, and we
will make sure that, if possible, we will craft an agreement that is in the
best interests of all parties.
It gives me a chance to talk about one of my favourite subjects, so I apologise
to the chamber: this may take some time!
No numbers of that nature were
discussed with the NRL. The number referred to by the member comes from sports
reports on the east coast. If that is the full length and breadth of his
research in preparation for question time, I urge him to source his information
from more reliable sources. However, there is only one state in this country
that can put the N in NRL, and that is Western Australia. There is only one
state in this country that can expand that competition to a whole new set of
eyeballs in a whole different time zone, and that is Western Australia. It is
therefore not surprising that the NRL is deadset keen to see a Western Australian
team in the national competition. It is also no surprise, given my youth, that
I am right on board with that!
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : I am very keen
to see an NRL team in Western Australia, but we will make sure that we do that
on terms that are good for Western Australia, because I will always do what is
right for WA. We will make sure that we get
the sort of agreement with the NRL that will mean we can continue to grow
options for sport engagement in Western Australia. We also know that —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr
R.H. COOK : We also know that
having a team in the NRL will increase our economic activity, because every time a team comes over for a WA home game, they will bring supporters with
them, so it will be a great win for the Western Australia community. We also
note that the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition
wrote to the NRL endorsing the idea of a Western Australian team. There are a lot
of reports around the expansion of the NRL competition, and it is a matter of
public record that the Prime Minister wants to see the competition expanded to
Papua New Guinea.
It is interesting. I could continue
for some time, Madam Speaker.
The SPEAKER : I hope not.
Mr R.H. COOK : I know the
Minister for Housing is keen to answer a question that I think he is
anticipating! Papua New Guinea is the only
country on earth that has rugby league as its national sport, so from that
perspective I can understand why, in light of the great alliance our
country has with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific nations, the Prime Minister
would be keen to see a Papua New Guinean side, but that does not exclude the
idea of a Western Australian side at some point in the future as well. We will
continue to engage with the NRL in relation to this exciting proposal, and we
will make sure that, if possible, we will craft an agreement that is in the
best interests of all parties.
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