James O’Doherty: Perrottet cops tough blow over broken stadium promise
Dominic Perrottet is playing a high stakes game in reneging on a deal with Peter V’landys, writes James O’Doherty.
Opinion
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In just fourteen words, Rugby League boss Peter V’landys delivered one of the worst insults imaginable.
While stressing that the Premier is “a very good human being,” V’Landys suggested Perrottet can’t be trusted as a man of his word.
“Don’t have a bet with him, because if you win he won’t pay you.”
While there is no good way for a politician to break a promise, the offence can range anywhere from a damaging distraction to a cardinal sin.
The way Perrottet has handled the stadiums debacle is trending decidedly towards the latter.
Particularly because in reneging on an agreement with the NRL to rebuild four suburban stadiums, the government is still planning to spend $300 million on Penrith stadium – in former Sports Minister Stuart Ayres’ own electorate. Don’t be too surprised if this promise is walked back.
Perrottet is desperately trying to avoid the perception that he is more interested in throwing money at the NRL to keep the grand final than looking after displaced flood victims.
“I respect that Peter’s job is to get the best deal for the NRL but my job is to represent all the people of NSW,” Perrottet said after the announcement.
But the government’s response to a major flood inquiry this week showed the flaws in this argument.
Just one element of the government response – a buyback scheme for residents in Lismore – is set to cost billions. The $250 million in question won’t even touch the sides.
“That’s about $50 million a year out of the state budget, which is hardly paying for the flood victims,” V’Landys noted.
Furthermore, in turning his back on the handshake deal with V’Landys, Perrottet has been forced to offer the NRL more money for this year’s grand final than we have paid for previous deciders.
And there is no guarantee we will keep the grand final next year.
“Any negotiation we do with the NSW government may be that they get it every three years and the Queensland government gets at one year,” V’Landys said.
Perrottet called the decision to stay in Sydney the “right outcome” for the league, noting that the government has “invested more than $1.5 billion in all levels of the game”.
But the NSW Government will now need to go back every year to argue its case to the NRL.
The sorry saga has highlighted once again that Sydney only has two major sporting events on the calendar: the NRL Grand Final and The Everest.
Peter V’landys is in charge of both.
In stiffing the racing and rugby league supremo, Dominic Perrottet has made a high stakes bet indeed.
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