NRL commission settles candidates
A FORMER Queensland nomination for Australian of the Year has become the eighth and final member of the game's inaugural independent commission after interstate politics yesterday forced former North Queensland and Ansett director Mark Williamson to stand aside.
Respected educator Chris Sarra, who has been heavily involved in the indigenous All-Stars game on the Gold Coast, only has to be ratified by News Limited, publisher of The Australian, to complete a painstaking process that began months ago and became bogged down in petty argument at ARL level.
News Limited's imprimatur is considered a mere formality, meaning the identity of the eight commissioners could be confirmed as early as today, although it is more likely to be announced next week. The other seven have previously been revealed by The Australian -- former Australian back and IT guru John Grant, former Qantas and Billabong chairman Gary Pemberton, Leighton Holdings chief financial officer Peter Gregg, former Australia forward Wayne Pearce, Harris Farm Markets founder Catherine Harris, advertising heavy Ian Elliott and CSR director Jeremy Sutcliffe.
Pemberton, who was president of the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee, is expected to be the commission's inaugural chairman, although Grant also has support. Yesterday's decision to appoint Sarra ends weeks of agitating at ARL level over the appointment of Williamson and removes one of the major stumbling blocks to the commission's formation.
ARL chairman John Chalk agreed in principle to Williamson's appointment, only to backflip under pressure from several NRL club chairmen. That put the NSW members of the ARL at loggerheads with their fellow Queensland directors. It is understood Queensland stood its ground at yesterday's board meeting in Brisbane but its four representatives were outnumbered by NSW's six directors. That meant Williamson had to go in order to resolve the impasse.
Williamson, the innocent party in the dispute, admitted he was bitterly disappointed at becoming the victim of the interstate wrangle. Under an agreement, Queensland was required to have two commissioners on the eight-member body. Sarra was put forward as an alternative and he was accepted by the NSW members of the ARL. Chalk confirmed agreement had finally been reached. "We reached a consensus on the eight commissioners to form the independent commission," Chalk said. "All that is left is to check with our partners, News Limited and the 16 clubs for final ratification. The ARL expects to be in position to announce the commissioners next week."
It is understood the clubs have already ratified Sarra's appointment and News is expected to follow suit. With the commissioners now in place, there is genuine hope the commission can be up and running in coming weeks, although the issue of a non-compete clause remains in play. The NRL clubs want News to sign a non-compete clause in the belief it will stop another Super League.
News Limited is reluctant to agree because it fears the clause could be used as a legal weapon to be held over the media giant's head. Furthermore, News is concerned it could lead to frivolous legal action. However, there is genuine hope a compromise can be reached and the commission can take control of the game before the end of the season.
Sarra, who hails from Bundaberg, ensures the commission has an indigenous presence. The youngest of 10 children, he was the 2004 Queenslander of the Year. One of his brothers, Zac, was a highly regarded footballer in Queensland before becoming a respected magistrate.
In the late 1990s, Sarra became principal of Cherbourg State School in southeast Queensland, where he dramatically improved school attendance and increased community involvement. He now heads the Stronger Smarter Institute, which is devoted to improving indigenous education.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...ttles-candidates/story-e6frg7mf-1226090169063
