Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The recent decision by the Australian Rugby Union to axe the Western Force from the Super Rugby competition is a joke. The ARU has struggled to explain exactly why they cut the Western Force from the Super Rugby competition. The Force finished second in this year's Super Rugby competition, yet this success had no effect on the ARU's decision. The ARU said it was in their best financial interest to drop the Force, but $50 million from Andrew Forrest was turned down. Then the ARU said it was about player welfare and reducing travel time for players. But teams will still be travelling from the east coast to South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand. If the ARU was serious about player welfare, it would guarantee the futures of the Force players.

Senator Reynolds' motion for a Senate inquiry will examine the ARU's decision-making processes and lack of transparency when removing the Force from Super Rugby. I look forward to the hearings, the committee's deliberations and getting a better understanding of how the ARU came to their short-sighted decision. I call on the ARU to show the people of Western Australia that they are committed to making Rugby Union a national game. Show us that you are committed to growing grassroots rugby in WA. Western Australians are passionate about their team, and we will continue to fight to ensure the future of the Western Force. The Western Force chants at the Wallabies game held last weekend are a very clear indication of WA's commitment to Rugby Union.