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NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley has told radio broadcaster Alan Jones he will sack him, and the rest of the SCG Trust board, if he wins the election.
Key points:
- Alan Jones is the longest serving member on the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust
- Mr Daley ended the 2GB interview with "thanks for your service" after threatening to sack Jones
- The SCG Trust wants to demolish the Sydney Football Stadium, but Mr Daley disagrees with that plan
In a heated on-air exchange, Sydney's stadium war escalated when Mr Daley told Jones on 2GB that "the board will go, it will be sacked".
The SCG Trust is a NSW Government agency and manages the major Moore Park sporting facilities, including the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) and neighbouring cricket ground.
The Berejiklian Government last year announced it would knock down and rebuild the SFS and dismantling works have already started.
Mr Daley has warned if Labor wins the NSW election on March 23, it will not rebuild the stadium and will instead pursue priorities in health and education.
On Tuesday morning, he said SCG Trust chairman Tony Sheppard sent him a letter last year, which detailed the rationale for demolishing the stadium.
Mr Daley claimed the letter included concerns the SFS seats were "flammable".
"Tony Sheppard swore on oath the seats were flammable and the next minute we see [NSW Sports Minister] Stuart Ayers, a friend of yours, and others bragging on TV about how they are shopping those seats to rugby clubs all over Australia," he told Jones.
"That's one of the reasons I'm going to sack the board.
"I know you've been on that board for 30 years ... but the board will go, it will be sacked."
Mr Jones responded: "Yeah, we do the job for nothing, don't worry, we don't mind".
As the interview wrapped up, Mr Daley told the 2GB presenter "thanks for your service".
In a statement issued after the fiery interview, Mr Daley said a Labor Government would require "a better range of expertise and representation" on the board and would replace unelected members.
Two board appointees elected by the SCG Members, Phil Waugh and David Gilbert, as well as former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill would remain.
"Labor wants to bring the board from the 19th century into the 21st century and ensure it acts in the interests of all of the people of NSW," Mr Daley said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian defended the board, which includes former Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell, and accused Mr Daley of making a rash decision.
"So many people on the board are outstanding Australians, outstanding people who continue to make a fantastic contribution to New South Wales," she said.
"To say, under pressure, you are going to sack the entire trust in my view is hot-headed and irresponsible."
Responding to Mr Daley's declaration, Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed the Labor Party on a federal and state level is "drunk with power" and behaving arrogantly.
The reconstruction of the stadium was at a standstill after the Land and Environment Court last week issued an injunction that prevented the developer Lendlease from carrying out "hard demolition" works.
The roof and walls of the stadium can't be removed while the court prepares a judgement on a legal challenge to halt the major development, which is expected to be handed down this month.
Topics: state-elections, elections, government-and-politics, media, sport, nsw, sydney-2000
First posted