WA Premier Roger Cook says the first he heard about the deal was in the news this morning, and the ARL had not yet reached out to him.
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Reports
the Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed to a revised deal to bring the Western Bears to Western Australia have perplexed Premier Roger Cook.
Speaking alongside the prime minister in Perth on Thursday morning, Cook said he had heard about the deal in the news and the ARL had not yet reached out to him.
WA Premier Roger Cook at a press conference during a visit to the CBH Metro Grain Centre.CREDIT: ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN
“Can I just say I know that there are more reports in the east coast media sports pages with regards to the conversations that are taking place between my government and the NRL, we continue to have those negotiations,” he said.
“We haven’t had a formal response from the NRL – I assume they have a range of processes they need to go through to consider anything in relation to these conversations.
“I will say that conversations are positive, and we continue to look forward to those discussions.”
News emerged on Thursday morning that the ARCL met on Wednesday and signed off on an increased offer from Cook, paving the way for the Bears to enter the league in the 2027 season.
The deal still needs to be signed off by the rest of the NRL clubs and the players’ association before it can go back to the WA government.
Following reports the NRL wanted the WA government to spend $120 million over 10 years to clinch the deal, Cook’s office revealed the deal was closer to $55 million – including $35 million for grassroots development and $20 million for a centre of excellence in Malaga.
The deal looked sunk earlier this month after Cook accused the NRL of treating his government like a cash cow, but Thursday’s reports have renewed hopes for West Australian rugby fans.
It was also reported that, as part of the ARLC’s agreement, the NRL would keep control of the team for its start-up years.
WAtoday has sought clarification from Cook on what additions, if any, his government had made to the deal that was previously on the table, and whether the government is happy for the NRL to control the team.
No money coming from Commonwealth: Albanese
Despite Cook’s public commentary in March that the federal government should stump up some cash for upgrades to HBF Park to support a WA NRL team, it appears he did not push the issue further.
“I do note the sizable contribution towards the new stadium in Hobart, and I think just over the weekend, they made an announcement with regards to a contribution to the [Melbourne] Storm in Victoria,” Cook said in March.
“So if we were in a position to be able to negotiate an NRL franchise in WA, we welcome any Commonwealth contribution to that infrastructure.”
But, asked on Thursday about his funding in Hobart and the $600 million to establish a Papua New Guinea team, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there had been no request for funding from the WA government.
“We haven’t been asked but let me just say this, I support the National Rugby League – it isn’t national unless it has a team in Perth,” he said.
