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- 3 September 2002
National Rugby League Salary Cap
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Speakers - Gibson Mr Paul
Business - Private Members Statements
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Page: 4437
Mr GIBSON (Blacktown) [5.28 p.m.]: This evening I speak about the situation in which New South Wales rugby league finds itself. I refer to the issue regarding the Canterbury Bulldogs, a problem that arose from the salary cap on players. Many people in the Blacktown electorate who are supporters of the Canterbury Bulldogs ask why the club is in its present predicament. I do not for one moment condone what the club may or may not have done in relation to cheating on the salary cap, but rugby league has always been about the spectators, the fans, the supporters and the traditions of the game. Of course, it is about the players. Rugby league is the greatest game of all. It has survived world wars, the Depression and many other disasters, including Super League. I do not think the game can take much more.
It should be remembered that rugby league is the main football game played in New South Wales. The real losers in this conflict are the followers or supporters of rugby league and the game itself. To my mind, the best immediate resolution of the conflict would have been to impose a fine on the Bulldogs but for the team to remain in this year's competition-the players and supporters have earned that much-and participate under suspension next year without being awarded any points. Such a course would not penalise the players who have played so hard and earned points this year, and would not take away points that the team has already won. That would be a far better way to handle the resolution of the current conflict.
As I stated earlier, the real problem is the salary cap. I have always believed that a salary cap serves only to protect bad administrators. For argument's take, I point out that a salary cap of $3.5 million in Sydney should not be compared to a salary cap of $3.5 million in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra or New Zealand. It is quite evident that the cost of living, prices, wages and expenses are much higher in Sydney than they are in other places. Salary caps are a joke. The National Rugby League [NRL] has to make a decision on whether it wants a professional game, a semiprofessional game or a game played by amateurs. I believe that in one way or another, most clubs have exceeded the salary cap. Canterbury was caught and will pay a very heavy price. There is no doubt that Peter Moore, who was a very good friend of mine, was probably the greatest league administrator ever. I also know Turvey, Steve Mortimer, very well. He is one of the greatest rugby league football players, and I am confident that he will do a very good job in leading the club.
If a club wants to spend millions of dollars on players and becomes bankrupt, so be it. The game should be strong enough to allow such matters to balance themselves out even though it may mean that in years to come only eight teams will be participating in the competition because only those teams have been able to support themselves in a highly competitive environment. If that is the way rugby league is destined to go, matters should be allowed to take their course. Can honourable members imagine Lleyton Hewitt, who has earned prize money worth $14 million, forgoing endorsements worth $80 million or $100 million? People such as Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Pat Rafter, radio announcers and many other professionals are paid endorsements from all quarters, and that is as it should be. Why should rugby league players be treated any differently by what probably amounts to a restriction of trade?
The NRL must decide whether rugby league will become fully professional or face the consequences of dealing with salary cap conflicts over and over again. When the Canberra Raiders won the competition a few years ago I was very pleased for the players, but they had exceeded the salary cap. At that time the New South Wales Rugby League board decided not to make the fact public until after the grand final had been played. It is absolutely scandalous that the NRL has mentioned inspecting the tax returns of players. Canterbury has paid the harshest penalty of any sporting club. Honourable members should make no mistake-the real losers in the most recent conflict have been the supporters of rugby league, the greatest game of all.
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