Anthony Albanese snubs Sydney by calling Melbourne ‘sporting capital of Australia’

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has turned his back on his Sydney hometown and declared another city “the sporting capital of Australia”.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has turned his back on his Sydney hometown and declared that Melbourne “is the sporting capital of Australia”.

Outraged NSW sports Minister Stuart Ayres fired back in Sydney’s defence: “With an election around the corner Albo has traded his red and green for a Big V. I guess we should expect him to put on a Maroons jumper when State of Origin comes around.”

Mr Albanese was speaking at a medical innovation company in Victoria when he made the comments that began with praise for Australian Open tennis.

“Melbourne is, I say this as a Sydneysider, the sporting capital of Australia,” he said. “It does events across the board, with the precinct that has been established there, as good as any in the world. In my view, better than any in the world.”

Australian Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese tours the Planet Innovation facility at Box Hill in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Business Sydney chief executive Paul Nicolaou argued the Sydney-born turncoat Labor leader was wrong and that Sydney has the weather and the fans to trump Melbourne.

“Sydney showed at the 2000 Olympics how it’s natural beauty, great weather and friendly locals make it a drawcard for international and domestic sporting and other big events,” he said.

“We are blessed with far better weather than Melbourne that has the least amount of sunshine than any capital city in Australia, so we can play and watch sport without needing a roof overhead.”

Mr Nicolaou said the Labor leader‘s comments on the sporting precinct in Melbourne also underscored the need for a proposed $2 billion development of the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park next to the Sydney Cricket Ground and new Sydney Football Stadium to go ahead.

“Melbourne has benefited greatly from hosting the Australian Open and this highlights why Sydney needs the proposed development around our great sporting grounds at Moore Park that will make the Entertainment Quarter an adjunct attraction to our big sporting events like the NRL, AFL and cricket matches,” he said.

A State of Origin match at ANZ Stadium.

Sam Romaniuk, joint chief executive of The Entertainment Quarter, said: “The Entertainment Quarter has the potential to not only meet, but beat what Melbourne can offer.

“Not only can we match them with sports venues with the new Sydney Sports Stadium and SCG, but the $2b investment proposed will transform EQ into a world-class arts, entertainment, community and sports precinct – this will be the best of its kind in Australia,” he said.

“Rich internationally watched history has been made at our famous Sydney Cricket Ground with memorable cricket, rugby union and league test matches. The building of the amazing new Sydney Football Stadium will also boost patronage with its 21st century design, accessibility and facilities.”

Rod Laver Arena during the men's singles final match between Spain's Rafael Nadal and Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Paul Crock / AFP

Tony Shepherd, Venues NSW chairman, said: “Melbourne demonstrates the advantage of investing and delivering first class infrastructure. They concentrate their investment on world class facilities.”

But he said when the new Sydney Football Stadium opens “the dial will turn in our favour because in terms of rectangular stadiums it is outstanding”.

Ehssan Veiszadeh, Committee for Sydney Deputy chief executive, came out shooting in praise of Sydney’s sporting record. “When it comes to global iconic sporting moments, Sydney has a lot to celebrate,” he said.

“Whether it was the best ever Olympic Games or John Aloisi’s penalty to send the Socceroos to the World Cup after more than 30 years or the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, Sydney is the place to be.”