Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie and leading constitutional lawyer Megan Davis have been named Australian Rugby League Commissioners.
The pair will join the ARLC immediately and sit under chairman John Grant until his February departure.
“I have no doubt these appointments will give the commission additional expertise and insight as it looks to capitalise on the foundations that have been put in place over the last six years,” Grant said in a statement on Tuesday.
Beattie was one of Queensland’s longest-serving premiers (1998-2007) and oversaw the renovation of Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, also approving construction of Gold Coast’s CBus Stadium.
He is the chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation.
Davis, a professor of law at the University of NSW, has been an advocate for indigenous constitutional recognition and as well as working as a diplomat to the United Nations.
Davis grew up in Queensland’s North Burnett region.
The pair replace prominent businessmen Graeme Samuel and Jeremy Sutcliffe, who resigned in January.
They join Catherine Harris, Wayne Pearce, Chris Sarra, Tony McGrath and Gary Weiss on the ARLC board.
Grant said Davis and Beattie would join the work on the ARLC’s agenda, including striking an agreement with clubs on funding and finalising players’ collective bargaining agreement.
Grant will exit when his tenure ends in early 2018 after six years in the role.
Sava
Guest
Can Someone tell me what or what has the Commission done since it was formed and how much the commissioners get paid? Sava
Big Daddy
Guest
What . No bozo.????
Oingo Boingo
Guest
John grant is gone under a hail of media scrutiny, whilst his colleagues remain unscathed, and has been replaced by two, ( not one ) hand picked stooges . Look out junior, there's not enough seats in that carriage of the gravy train for you any more.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
John Grant was a former Kangaroo,I guess that involved lacing up a boot. Beattie was actually born in Sydney and played junior rugby league. in Qld Chris Sarra was deeply involved in utilising rugby league as a base for helping the Indigenous community in Cherboug. Qld Seriously the board is about growing the game ,getting the infrastructures in place, marketing and promotional and governance abilities needed. Yes an in depth understanding of the game is most important ,but not necessarily for every board member. The former head of Woolworths was a teetotaller ,yet that organisation has a big Liquor outlet. The trouble is in the past the game was run by former footballers when there was little competition around ,yet clubs still got into deep financial trouble,and little new infrastructure was put in place.Despite all they poker machine profits flowing around. The Board needs a mix of people with different sets of business skills, and either a complete understanding of the game,inlcuding having played it, or an appreciation of it and offer business skills and nous otherwise not present. TBH whilst I admired Wayne Pearce as a player and gentleman on and off the field, his tenure onto Board has hardly been newsworthy. I find it amusing Rothfield, and the late Bec Wilson always banged on about lack of rl experience on the Board. and bagged Grant (which is their right), but completely ignored his rep days.And journos being experts on business nous !!!
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Junior is the only person on the board to ever lace up a boot , and I'm willing to bet he'll be gone before long.
John Boy Walton
Guest
Another Queenslander Banjo Strummer, Banana and Cane Toad Lover in Beattie why not - a great choice - goodnight Mary-Ellen and Jim-Bob
sham
Guest
Megan Davis is outstanding an excellent choice
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I did see one in South Psrk , HY .
johnno2
Guest
BS Beattie you've got to be joking !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike from tari
Guest
This is what I was afraid of, who appoints the Commissioners?????, how did Peter Beattie get the position, bloody ex politicians should be hung out to dry, I am pissed off that our great game comes up with appointments like this.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I dropped a token. Did someone happen to see a token?
Chui
Guest
Because he just gave the same one word answer to every question during the interview.
kk
Roar Pro
Strewth. How come Billy Moore missed out?
Mike
Guest
Beattie?? They managed to keep that one quiet. They're both from Qld - that'll rile the NSW clubs. On face value though seems ok.
DLKN
Guest
Peter Beattie? Jeez.