NSW budget a kick in the guts for
Rugby League (opinion)

Rugby League has emerged as a major loser out of this years state budget in NSW. Treasurer Michael Egan delivered a small surplus in what can only described as a lazy and lacklustre budget. Even before the budget was handed down yesterday, NSW was the highest taxed state in Australia.

The problem rugby league faces is the increased taxes on poker machine revenue which will directly have an influence on the operating profits of leagues clubs in NSW, most of which have a link to either a NRL club or links to the game at a grass roots level. The Government has raised taxes on poker machines from 15% to 40% over the next four years which is nothing short of diabolical.

Many NRL clubs rely on grants from their respective leagues club to stay afloat with Clubs NSW CEO David Costello saying he was “absolutely devestated” at the State Government's “grab for tax”.

Costello also said “it remains to be seen just how many clubs survive beyond 2010” and I hope this is not a self fulfilling prophecy as the game I love will die a slow death.

In the area where I live there are many “Super Clubs” such as Mounties, Liverpool Catholic Club, Cabra Vale Diggers, Carbramatta Leagues Club, Smithfield RSL, Fairfield RSL, Bankstown Sporting Club among many others.

The contribution these clubs make to junior sport, particularly rugby league is significant and if any of these clubs were closed due to Mr Carr & Mr Egan's pathetic grab for cash, then is the Government really doing a community service or merely filling the state's coffer's in the hope of not having to actually tax areas that might cost them a few votes?

Or are they trying to appease their own conscience and a few minority groups along the way?

The onus is on the NRL to find alternative ways to assist the clubs and help to find other means of income and sponsorship if the game is to survive past 2010.

Rugby League is supposed to be the working man's game, but not for much longer.