Dolphins Lead The Charge for NRL Licence - Securing Bipartisan Politic
Published 07 May 2021
In an unprecedented show of bipartisan unity and determination - every politician in the Moreton Bay Region today signed a declaration of support to secure the available NRL licence for the region.
Federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles were two of many public figures who joined Mayor Peter Flannery at Council’s Leadership Forum in an emphatic display of what the region is willing to do to get the Dolphins over the try line.
“The Dolphins have been dreaming of this day for 70 years and their business case is compelling,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.
“But with NRL Chairman Peter V’Landys announcing Expressions of Interest opening today, we wanted to ensure our bid and the resolve behind it is impossible to ignore.
“We are one of Australia’s great rugby league heartlands, and with the way the Broncos are playing at the moment locals rightly want to see a competitive team that can take Queensland to the top of the ladder - I’ll back the Dolphins to do that!
“A successful bid would bring huge economic stimulus, including investment from interstate to one of Australia’s fastest growing local government areas and forge a new nationally recognisable identity that everyone in our community can be proud of.”
Signing the accord, Member for Dickson Peter Dutton said it put the Dolphins ahead of their rivals and set a tone for success.
“While other bids are scrambling to generate momentum, we can clearly demonstrate that every local, state and federal elected representative here in Moreton Bay Region is on the same team behind the Dolphins,” Minister Dutton said.
“All levels of Government have been investing heavily in Moreton Bay Region and that’s kept our economy on track, but securing an NRL licence would elevate the sense of community pride and vibrancy here like never before.”
Deputy Premier and Member for Murrumba Steven Miles said regardless of political colours, everyone was wearing Dolphins red in support of their bid to join the NRL.
“Moreton Bay is the obvious choice as the third largest local government area in Australia with 480,000 residents and a population projection that will see us surpass the State of Tasmania by 2031,” Mr Miles said.
“Our fan base will stretch from the northern suburbs of Brisbane all the way up to Bundaberg, giving Sunny Coast and Fraser Coast residents a team they can get behind.
“We’ve already seen existing NRL clubs like Penrith, Newcastle, St George Illawarra and Cronulla establish successful franchises in catchments outside major cities, and they’ve done it with much smaller population bases.
“As a life-long League fan, nothing would make me prouder than seeing my local team, the Dolphins, enter the NRL.”