Premier Roger Cook has reiterated that WA Labor will not write an open cheque to secure a proposed Perth-based National Rugby League franchise.
Roger Cook has reiterated that his government will not write an open cheque to secure a proposed Perth-based National Rugby League franchise.
In an interview with Australian Rugby League chair Peter V’landys in Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, it was claimed the NRL’s “wish list” from WA included a $200 million upgrade to HBF Park in East Perth, along with a $120 million commitment to join the NRL, with subsequent grassroots investment as well.
Mr V’landys said the discussions with the state government had been positive around a proposed Perth-based franchise and was hopeful a positive outcome could be reached should Labor be re-elected in the state election on March 8.
Liberal leader Libby Mettam also took aim at the figures.
“WA clearly deserves its own NRL team, but not at any cost," Ms Mettam said.
“We know the premier is a diehard rugby [league] fan, but he cannot use taxpayers to fund his hobby.
“A Mettam Liberal government will fight to bring a team here, but we will not be signing a cheque for hundreds of millions when we have the worst hospital system in the country.”
But in line with previous statements to Business News since the demise of the private-based Western Bears bid to join an expanded NRL competition, Mr Cook rebutted claims that WA Labor intended to or would help bankroll a prospective franchise.
The premier, a self-confessed rugby league tragic, addressed the media on Thursday, briefly reflecting on the Western Reds’ three-year stint in both the Australian Rugby League and Super League between 1995 and 1997.
Back then, the Reds were required to pay the flights and accommodation – for first and reserve grade players – for each travelling side to Perth, on top of their ongoing away game expenses.
This resulted in the Reds amassing a debt in the vicinity of $10 million, prior to being wound up in late 1997.
A leading man who invested heavily into both the Reds and grassroots rugby league was and is Peter Cumins, who chaired the Western Bears bid.
The premier said Western Australians had been treated as second-class citizens during the Reds’ era and he didn’t want the experience repeated.
“We will not tolerate a situation which either one, represents a repeat of the Western Reds; that is, WA gets treated as second class citizens, and [two], we will not write an open cheque for NRL.
“Now, I’ve seen a report in today’s Daily Telegraph which looks at some eye-watering numbers that they expect to extract out of the government of WA.
“That is a deal-killer. We will not go ahead with this if it represents a bad deal for WA taxpayers.”
Between October and prior to entering caretaker mode, either Mr Cook or a government-based negotiation team have openly met with Mr V’landys or ARLC/NRL representatives in line with a memorandum of understanding signed between both parties.
“They [NRL] know they need to come to WA,” Mr Cook said.
“They need us more than we need them. Now, I like Peter V’landys. We’ve had a number of really good discussions, and I’ve got a negotiation team which is continuing to work with the NRL.
“Although obviously during caretaker [mode], I’m not involved in any sort of discussions.”
Mr Cook also said he was disappointed and surprised about viewing the numbers contained in the original Sydney-based article.
“I’m surprised that these numbers in the form of their aspirations have appeared in the Daily Telegraph today,” he said.
“I like Peter V’landys. We’ve had great conversations. But if he thinks that Western Australians are going to be treated as mugs, if he thinks that Western Australians are going to be treated as second-class NRL citizens, and if he thinks we are going to see a repeat of the Western Reds, he has got another thought coming. The deal is off."
Mr Cook said due to caretaker mode, he wouldn’t air his concerns regarding the article directly to Mr V’landys.
“I’m not the government at the moment. I’m the premier in caretaker mode, so it would be totally inappropriate to continue those conversations during this period,” he said.
