By Roy Masters
Federal Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, has gone part of the way to delivering on Johnathan Thurston's grand final cry to "build us a stadium." The Labor leader has pledged $100m towards a $250m new stadium in Townsville for Thurston's NRL team, the Cowboys, who won the 2015 NRL premiership.
Shorten has undertakings of support from the Queensland government to contribute $100m, as well a $25m pledge each from the Townsville Council and the NRL.
Should Labor be elected federally, its $100m contribution is also contingent on the Queensland government, local council and NRL all joining the project to build the stadium.
Shorten's active involvement in securing the funding promises are part of a strategy to demonstrate support for rugby league after the ALP has shown a preference for AFL over the past decade.
Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys is hoisted onto the shoulders of Ben Hannant and Kane Linnett with the NRL trophy after arriving back at Townsville airport.Credit: Getty Images
The Cowboys' existing stadium has a capacity of only 26,500, with only 15 per cent roofed and is unpopular with fans, being 20 kilometres from the Townsville CBD.
Shorten will make the announcement in Townsville on Wednesday.
He told Fairfax Media: "It's not fair that NRL fans in far north Queensland are treated as second-class citizens when it comes to national sporting facilities.
"Too much federal funding goes into infrastructure projects down south, while the north gets left behind. .
"This stadium will bring much needed jobs to Townsville and provide a shot in the arm for the local economy.
"It will boost local tourism, major events and will deliver flow-on spending in local businesses."