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Roger Cook remains tight-lipped on WA NRL team negotiations
Roger Cook has refused to open up about negotiations with the NRL and what the State Government is offering the east-coast based competition to bring a team west.thewest.com.au
WA Premier Roger Cook refuses to reveals details of negotiations with NRL to bring a team west
Roger Cook has refused to open up about negotiations with the NRL and what the State Government is offering the east-coast based competition to bring a team west.
While facing mounting pressure to come clean, the rugby-loving Premier refused to weigh in on the talks, despite vowing during the campaign the League would not get any money from WA taxpayers.
Asked to clarify what was being discussed, given his election promise not to give the NRL any money, Mr Cook said: “I’m not going to provide you with an ongoing commentary in relation to the discussions with the NRL.”
“What I did say during the campaign is that no West Australian taxpayers’ money will go to the NRL.”
In the final week of the election campaign, Mr Cook told The West Australian’s Leadership Matters event not a single taxpayers’ dollar would be given to the League as part of a licence fee — reported to be in the realm of $120 million.
As part of the negotiations, WA would become the home to the “Western Bears” — with the now-defunct North Sydney Bears side moving to Perth.
WA confirms no deal cut on new NRL team, with league to reveal Papua New Guinean team in Sydney
Part of the NRL’s claimed offer would be a redevelopment of HBF Park in Perth — the likely home ground of the Bears — rumoured to be at a cost of $200 million.
Questioned about a potential announcement timed with the NRL’s double header next Saturday, Mr Cook said: “I’m not planning to make an announcement.”
“But if there is, we’ll give you plenty of notice.”
It comes after Mr Cook revealed on Monday talks with the NRL had restarted, following a downing of tools during the State Election campaign.
“I’ve had conversations with the CEO of NRL (Andrew Abdo), and I’ve also had conversations with the Minister for Sport, and I’ve had conversations with the Treasurer while I was at it,” Mr Cook said, referring to his Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti.
Immediately after the election, powerful league boss Peter V’Landys said a “deal had to happen quickly”, revealing an April deadline for discussions because of looming broadcast contract talks.
Following the election, Mr Cook said he thought the April deadline was “achievable”, but it was the League’s timeframe rather than the State Governments.
They sure love saying “East Coast based competition” like it’s some kind of gotcha. Meanwhile in the real world every professional sports league in Australia is majority East Coast based including their Victorian overlords.
