I don't particularly care for Howard politically, never have. But I do think the concept of having a former Prime Minister as one member of the inaugural Commission would have benefited the game. Especially if that former Prime Minister seemed to actually have some real affection for the game (unlike any of the other PMs of the last thirty years).
A commissioner coming to the table having held the highest political office in the land would have had a significant impact on how strong the Commission is perceived to be - both the perception from outside and the Commission's perception of itself and its power. A commission with a former Prime Minister involved won't be afraid of taking bold decisions. After all running Rugby League has got to look easy next to some of the decisions a Prime Minister has to face.
I just wonder if a Commission without that element (or a future Commission without that precedent) will be as prepared to wield the same power. Or will it instead be more inclined to defer to the steady as she goes approach of the current executive administration?
For me this isn't about Howard. The guy is 70, he won't be around that long. Its about a certain role to fill in the image and dynamic of the Commission. It's about how strong we want to Comission to be and seen to be. Not just for the term of the inaugural Commisioners but for the long term. Long after Howard is dead and safely buried.
Leigh
Spot on. This Commission should never be about agendas, politics between clubs, past political history, who they represent or anything like that. Though it will be. This Commission should be about getting the best people available to further rugby league as a code. And they don't necessarily have to be league people. This Commission needs people who are influential, have the business and legal skills to negotiate the best deal for the code and people who are good administrators. And they should be strong minded individuals who won't back down for what they believe in. The Commission needs to be the real deal, and that comes from having the real deal on the Commission.
If it was doable, I'd have the likes of Gail Kelly, Allan Fels, Chip Goodyear, John Howard, Frank Lowy, Graham Annesley and John Coates as part of the non club or state body affiliated directors. For the clubs, I'd be looking at people such as Helen Clark to represent the Warriors, John Quayle for the Roosters, John Fahey for the Dogs, Sterlo for Parra, Roy Masters for the Saints and Warren Ryan for the Tigers. All these people have the skills and influence to make things happen.
