Aust Govt Lobby Group Used for WC Bid
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Sport and politics don't mix, hmmmm say some people.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/government-lobby-group-revealed-as-world-cup-bids-heavy-hitter/story-e6frf9if-1225820222676
Government lobby group revealed as World Cup bid's heavy hitter
* Michael Warner
* From: Herald Sun
* January 15, 2010 11:12PM
FOOTY'S code war has taken another twist with revelations powerful government lobby group Hawker Britton was a key player behind Football Federation Australia's bid to host the soccer World Cup.
Hawker Britton, which boasts controversial former state Labor minister David White as a senior director, enjoys close links with ALP governments across the country.
The association between the lobby group and FFA is revealed in a new Brumby Government register, forcing lobbyists to reveal their current client list.
The FFA has launched an aggressive push to secure soccer's showpiece World Cup event in 2018 or 2022, triggering a bitter public brawl with the AFL and NRL.
FFA chiefs yesterday confirmed that Hawker Britton was used to lobby the nation's state governments.
"They did some work in establishing our campaign strategy, providing general advice on government relations in respect of the bid," FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said.
Hawker Britton senior principal Bruce Hawker said the lobby group had ceased working for the FFA nine months ago.
"We worked in various jurisdictions for about three months or so," Mr Hawker said.
The Rudd Government, which pocketed a $177,000 donation from Hawker Britton before the 2007 federal election, has already committed $50 million of public money for marketing, advertising, infrastructure planning and a "bid book" to be presented to soccer's global governing body FIFA.
The book will be finished next month and submitted in May.
Angry AFL and NRL chiefs are threatening to derail the bid after being told they might have to put their own competitions on hold or lose access to key stadiums.
But Premier John Brumby, a friend and close factional ally of White, has said he believes Australia can host a World Cup and successful AFL season simultaneously.
The World Cup would run in June or July and require the use of at least 12 major Australian sporting stadiums, including the MCG and Etihad Stadium.
And under strict FIFA rules, all World Cup venues must be quarantined for four weeks beforehand with major rival sporting events halted throughout the month-long tournament.
The Labor-dominated Council of Australian Governments agreed last month to push ahead in hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/government-lobby-group-revealed-as-world-cup-bids-heavy-hitter/story-e6frf9if-1225820222676
Government lobby group revealed as World Cup bid's heavy hitter
* Michael Warner
* From: Herald Sun
* January 15, 2010 11:12PM
FOOTY'S code war has taken another twist with revelations powerful government lobby group Hawker Britton was a key player behind Football Federation Australia's bid to host the soccer World Cup.
Hawker Britton, which boasts controversial former state Labor minister David White as a senior director, enjoys close links with ALP governments across the country.
The association between the lobby group and FFA is revealed in a new Brumby Government register, forcing lobbyists to reveal their current client list.
The FFA has launched an aggressive push to secure soccer's showpiece World Cup event in 2018 or 2022, triggering a bitter public brawl with the AFL and NRL.
FFA chiefs yesterday confirmed that Hawker Britton was used to lobby the nation's state governments.
"They did some work in establishing our campaign strategy, providing general advice on government relations in respect of the bid," FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said.
Hawker Britton senior principal Bruce Hawker said the lobby group had ceased working for the FFA nine months ago.
"We worked in various jurisdictions for about three months or so," Mr Hawker said.
The Rudd Government, which pocketed a $177,000 donation from Hawker Britton before the 2007 federal election, has already committed $50 million of public money for marketing, advertising, infrastructure planning and a "bid book" to be presented to soccer's global governing body FIFA.
The book will be finished next month and submitted in May.
Angry AFL and NRL chiefs are threatening to derail the bid after being told they might have to put their own competitions on hold or lose access to key stadiums.
But Premier John Brumby, a friend and close factional ally of White, has said he believes Australia can host a World Cup and successful AFL season simultaneously.
The World Cup would run in June or July and require the use of at least 12 major Australian sporting stadiums, including the MCG and Etihad Stadium.
And under strict FIFA rules, all World Cup venues must be quarantined for four weeks beforehand with major rival sporting events halted throughout the month-long tournament.
The Labor-dominated Council of Australian Governments agreed last month to push ahead in hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.
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