John Howard pledges $2.63 million to world cup

[Mr_Ugly]

Did anyone pick up on the PM's announcement during the pre-match coverage last night that the Commonwealth Government is going to kick in $2.63 million towards the World Cup.

Does anyone know if this is new money, or was he just re-announcing dollars that they had already committed to?

From Johnny's website (http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2007/Media_Release24595.cfm):

Media Release
30 September 2007
Australian Government Support for Rugbty League



I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide over $12.6 million to assist rugby league celebrate its centenary in Australia.
Rugby league has made a significant contribution to Australia's national identity. While the sport has a working class background, of which it can be justifiably proud, it now reaches out to the entire community. It invokes fierce loyalties, especially around the time of the State of Origin games, but also brings the nation together when Australia plays in a Test match.
The Australian Government will contribute $10 million towards the establishment of a Rugby League Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will be a permanent home for Australian rugby league's historic memorabilia, showcase rugby league's best achievements and provide visitors with a unique interactive experience.
2008 will be a time of great celebration for Australian rugby league. The Australian Government will provide $2.63 million to support the staging of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and the other events being held to celebrate the centenary. These events include the naming of rugby league's 100 greatest players, a fan day at Telstra Stadium and the Centenary Test between Australia and New Zealand.
I congratulate all of the players, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers who have made rugby league such a great game and brought entertainment and a love of the game to so many Australians.

 

[Raider_69]

Wins my vote
well in johnny

 

[In-goal]

I was never going to vote for Rudd, all the way with Little J

 

[Ari Gold]

Johnny has my vote now as well

 

[roughyedspud]

$2.63million whats that in proper money??


£1.1million......not bad i suppose..


does anyone know how much the government gave towards the 2003 union world cup.??

 

[Sam_the_man]

Don't know what they got for the 2003 YWC but the NZRL government is giving 70million i believe for the 2011 YWC.....want to know the funny part of that? The PM who pushed this payment through and worked her arse off for the NZRU is the patron of both the Mt Albert RL and NZRL and has done f**kall for rugby league in NZ.

 

[Nook]

Thanks John, now don't let the door hit you on the way out you dirty little merkin

 

[roopy]

The Union WC got upgrades to several grounds and heaps of money for advertising - at least 10s of millions.
League really should have declared all the grounds sub standard and insisted governments spend money on them - union did that very well.

 

[langpark]

He already had my vote. Watta champ!

 

[TinghaInMotion]

got my vote johnny

 

[tommytomlin]

duh i makes my votes based on footy duhhhh

 

[roopy]

I can't be bothered reading this to find the answer;

http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2004/feddep/FinalEconomicImpactOfRWC2003.pdf

but from a casual glance, i'd say we are getting chump change as compared to the Union WC.

 

[langpark]

duh i makes my votes based on footy duhhhh

you're probably far more intelligent than that, you probably make your vote based on the flavour of the month and hop right on the rudd bandwagon

 

[Misanthrope]

Too little, too late, Johnny. Had years to make some contributions to the game and $12 million in an election year won't sway me either.

Won't say no to the cash, though :lol:

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Don't know what they got for the 2003 YWC but the NZRL government is giving 70million i believe for the 2011 YWC.....want to know the funny part of that? The PM who pushed this payment through and worked her arse off for the NZRU is the patron of both the Mt Albert RL and NZRL and has done f**kall for rugby league in NZ.

Never, ever underestimate the reach of people with money or commercial clout and their ability to influence governments.

 

[screeny]

an embarrassing amount of money considering the scale of the sport in Oz, the tournament, and the fact that it's a grant from a govt!