Cronulla Sharks consider revoking Scott Morrison’s No. 1 ticketholder status amid Robodebt scandal

Scott Morrison’s office has rejected a story suggesting the Cronulla Sharks could revoke his status as No. 1 ticketholder.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attending the NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers at Kogarah Oval. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Scott Morrison’s office has rejected a story suggesting the Cronulla Sharks could consider revoking his number one ticketholder status.

It comes after he was directly criticised by the recently concluded Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

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The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Cronulla Sharks, located in Morrison’s electorate of Cook in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, are considering the move after giving Morrison the title in 2016.

A Sharks official told the Sydney Morning Herald that it would be considered if Morrison is found guilty of any negligence or wrongdoing, but a spokesman for Morrison said his office had been told the story was inaccurate.

The report brought down a searing assessment of senior Coalition government ministers and departmental staff for their handling of the scheme, which was described as “crude and cruel”, as well as “neither fair nor legal”, and recommends referrals of multiple individuals involved in the scheme for prosecution.

Morrison would often end press conferences as PM with the catchcry “Go Sharks”. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Morrison has been on public record as a Sharks supporter since a 2010 tweet stating that the “Sharks have (his) loyalty”, but has long been inconsistent in his story of love for the code.

He adopted the sky blue of Cronulla after winning preselection for the seat of Cook, having in his own words “grown up on rugby” in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

When Morrison became Prime Minister in 2018, Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta said the club were “honoured” to be associated with Morrison.

“Scott has been a long-time supporter of our club, a regular at many of our games and an outstanding advocate for our local community,” Mezzatesta said.

“We are delighted we can now call our No. 1 ticketholder the Prime Minister of Australia.

“We feel honoured that he chooses to be associated with our club and offer our sincere congratulations on his appointment.”

Royal Commissioner Catherine Holmes directly criticised Morrison, the Social Services Minister responsible for the institution of the unlawful scheme, in her 990-page report as having “allowed cabinet to be misled”, saying that he failed to ask “obvious” questions about his Department’s administration of the scheme.

Commissioner Holmes said Morrison “failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that Cabinet was properly informed” about the proposal, “and to ensure that it was lawful.”

The Commissioner rejected “as untrue” Morrison’s evidence that he was told income averaging was an established practice.

Morrison has become a very public Sharks fan since joining federal politics as the local member. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

The former Prime Minister said in a statement after the release of the report that he “completely” rejects the findings, and claims they were “wrong, unsubstantiated and contradicted by clear documentary evidence presented to the commission.”

Politicians have long been number one ticket holders across codes, with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd holding the title at the Brisbane Broncos in the early years of his term.

Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese currently holds the title at South Sydney, and Bob Hawke held the role for both the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Swans in 1984, while Gladys Berejiklian and Tony Abbott have both held the role at Manly.

Morrison’s successor as federal treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, a previous holder at Carlton alongside former PMs Malcolm Fraser and Robert Menzies.

Bob Hawke held the role for the Sydney Swans in 1984, as did Julia Gillard at the Western Bulldogs in 2011.

Paul Keating held the role at Collingwood from 1990 to 1991, as did former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock at Essendon in 1985.