It was the sticking point that almost torpedoed the deal,but the NRL and the WA government have resolved the final hurdle to an 18th franchise.
WA Premier Roger Cook says the first he heard about the deal was in the news this morning,and the ARL had not yet reached out to him.
The long-awaited showdown between the newly minted opposition leader and the wall of Labor MPs has lived up to the hype with an animated first question time.
Roger Cook said WA remained open to a deal if the NRL treated the state with “more respect”.
The NRL is next week expected to announce its decision to shelve plans for a 19th team in Perth,dashing the dreams of North Sydney Bears fans yearning a return to the top level.
Since coming to the job in May 2023,Roger Cook has stated several times he wants to grow other industries so WA is not as reliant on the resources sector. But it is a difficult prospect.
See the full results of Roger Cook’s first cabinet reshuffle this term.
When asked whether the commissioner should resign Roger Cook said:“let’s just wait until after the election is done and dusted.”
On the current vote count Labor has secured at least 40 seats with tight contests in Pilbara and Kalgoorlie likely to fall their way.
The WA Liberals learnt nothing from their supposed rebuild after 2021 and their future in this state is not guaranteed.