got to love his salty tears!
Friends? You’ll recall how last week
TFF ranted in this space how outrageous it was that – despite the huge call on the state’s coffers right now for the likes of schools, hospitals, LISMORE – the Perrottet Government has found $113m to give NRL clubs for world-class rugby league training facilities to develop the stars of tomorrow at Belmore Sports Ground, the University of Wollongong and Kellyville.
That’s right! Handing out huge chunks of taxpayer cash to businesses already doing well, which give us nothing back.
Your reaction was so strong – mostly acclamatory anger – let me point out one other thing. Because, of course, it is part of exactly the same pattern established by this government where no matter what rugby league asks for, it is given. I think I might have mentioned #StadiumSplurge, once or twice, yes? And yet beyond the ludicrousness of knocking down a perfectly fine stadium to build a new one that looks remarkably similar – same architectural firm, as a matter of fact – the NSW Government’s largesse to NRL clubs is already well established.
Let’s talk about the $250-300m of our money already committed to Penrith for a new stadium. And yes, of course it is dressed up as also being a tourist mecca, a conference centre, available for other sports and all the rest, but the primary purpose is to give the Panthers a whizz-bang stadium on our dime.
The whole thing was announced last December by Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister Stuart Ayres, the latter saying: “This new venue will help take Penrith to the next level in sport, entertainment and tourism.”
Premier? Minister? Any chance we the people could have an explanation for why we the people are paying for a new stadium for the benefit of a team that is supported by one of the richest clubs in Australia? And while you are at it, could you get back to me on my query of June last year on why Penrith Leagues Club is bloody well
always the beneficiary of amazing government largesse.
As documented by
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Nigel Gladstone in September 2020, we had the extraordinary story on the final destination of the $11.4 MILLION that Minister Ayres promised with much hoopla, just before the 2015 state election would build for the community in his Penrith electorate “indoor sporting facilities” like we’ve never seen before, finished with a different destination. Yes, folks, that money, as Gladstone noted,
“ended up building an underground carpark [for the Panthers].”
Read it again. Money for the community sports grants, ended up going to Penrith Leagues Club carpark. And something like $300 million of our dosh is going to give Penrith a new stadium.
Premier Perrottet, seriously. I get that you inherited a government that made no apology for pork-barrelling – while you were previously known as a brake on that appalling practice. But
look at this! This really is one of the richest clubs in Australia. And somehow your government continues to hand over hundreds of millions of our dollars to them, while telling us it is for the good of the state.
Premier, any chance we the people could have an explanation for why we are paying for a new stadium for the benefit of a team backed by a rich club?
www.smh.com.au
