ARLC hires Bret Walker SC to investigate NSWRL board elections

The NSWRL has questioned the validity of an ARL Commission investigation, which will include one of Australia’s most expensive legal minds, into its recent board elections.

Peter V’landys and the ARLC have hired Bret Walker SC (right) to investigate the NSWRL elections.

Bret Walker, the lawyer who successfully acted in the High Court appeal of George Pell, has been enlisted by the ARL commission to investigate the controversial NSW rugby league board elections.

Walker, who reportedly comes at a cost of $25,000 a day, also worked for ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, and led the Special Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Ruby Princess.

The decision to bring Walker on board shows how seriously the ARL Commission is taking the matter, which exploded last week when Nick Politis and doctor George Peponis walked away from the NSW Rugby League.

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Peter V’landys and the ARLC have hired Bret Walker SC (right) to investigate the NSWRL elections.

Politis and Peponis were infuriated that Cronulla boss Dino Mezzatesta was prevented from running for the board after the NSWRL received legal advice that he had a conflict of interest.

The fracture in the NSWRL has pitched some of the game’s most powerful figures against each other. As part of the probe, interviews are expected to be held with Politis, Peponis, Mezzatesta and NSWRL chief executive David Trodden.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys vowed to order an independent investigation once he received a complaint, prompting him to call in one of the state’s most powerful barristers.

“The process has begun,” V’landys said. “We have received a formal complaint and we are now in the process of investigating.”

The NSWRL fired back on Friday, casting doubt on whether the commission had the power to conduct an investigation into its affairs.

“It is presently unclear as to the basis on which the ARLC has requisite jurisdiction to undertake any such investigation or indeed any investigation at all in relation to the subject matter,” NSWRL acting chairman John Anderson said.

“The NSWRL board shall meet on Monday to consider the matter and there will be no further comment until after that meeting.”

There have been suggestions the ARL Commission could pull its state funding as a result of the imbroglio, although Queensland Rugby League chair Bruce Hatcher warned that would be an over-reaction.

Hatcher pointed out that the drama was a NSW matter and there should be no ramifications felt north of the border.

“It’s got nothing to do with us,” Hatcher said. “From my point of view, we’re business as usual. I think the most important thing is to get the matter resolved.

“I would like to hear an explanation for why our funding should be cut for something we have no control over.

“The issue that I would see for the person who makes that decision is how the people of Queensland would unite to express their total dissatisfaction at the inequity of such a decision.

“But I don’t want to get dramatic because it has nothing to do with us and there could be no rational reason why they would cut our funding for something we have nothing to do with.”

Hatcher revealed he had QRL directors call him to seek some clarity over the threat of having funding cut because of a spat between NSW and head office.