Annastacia Palaszczuk cancels plans to name Suncorp stand after Terry Mackenroth
Annastacia Palaszczuk has cancelled plans to name a stand in Suncorp Stadium after former deputy premier and rugby league tragic the late Terry Mackenroth.
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PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has sensationally scrapped her “captain’s call” to name a stand at Suncorp Stadium after her political mentor, the late Terry Mackenroth.
The backflip came just days before the unveiling of the new signage, expected to take place tomorrow to coincide with State of Origin.
The Courier-Mail last week revealed Ms Palaszczuk had snubbed Queensland sporting greats and decided to name the first grandstand at the stadium after the former deputy premier, sparking a public backlash and questions about her political judgment.
Ms Palaszczuk yesterday announced her about-face, saying it was at the request of the Mackenroth family.
“His (Mr Mackenroth’s) widow Mary and I believed the honour was fitting but we have been surprised, hurt and disappointed by some of the reaction which has caused the family great distress,” she said.
“Anyone who knew Terry knew how much he gave to the community in general and rugby league in particular over 28 years of public service.”
A poll of more than 2200 of couriermail.com.au readers found 78 per cent of respondents believed a sporting icon should have the stand named after them before a politician.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said her “sympathies” were with the Mackenroth family who had been “used as a political football’’ by the Premier. “The only person who couldn’t see the obvious problem with naming a stand at Suncorp Stadium after a former politician was Annastacia Palaszczuk,” she said.
“If the Premier is looking for someone to blame about the stadium debacle, she need only to look in the mirror.”
Former public works minister Robert Schwarten, who acted as an advocate for the family after the decision was revealed, said he hoped Mr Mackenroth would be honoured in another way in future.
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