NSW Premier reveals reason behind Rabbitohs' denied Allianz move

NSW Premier Chris Minns has revealed taxpayer cost is the key reason why South Sydney’s desired move to Allianz Stadium was denied.

In June, South Sydney CEO Blake Solly expressed the club wanted to leave Accor Stadium and play their home games at Allianz Stadium, citing a failure from the government to follow through with promised upgrades, and it being closer to the heart of their fanbase.

The move was denied by NSW Sport Minister Stephen Kamper, but the Rabbitohs vowed to continue pushing for a move.

Speaking to SEN 1170 Breakfast, Minns elaborated on why the move was denied, but clarified the government wants to work with South Sydney to ease concerns.

“Look, we don't want to block anyone, but the club entered into a commercial arrangement out at Homebush for a number of years,” Minns said.

“It would cost taxpayers about $14.5 million we think to break that contract.

“Now the reason for that is, once Homebush Stadium knows they've got a tenant like South Sydney for home games, they sell corporate suites. They lease out the contract or the concession for food and drink and beverages and everything else.

“If all of a sudden the government says, I know that they had a 5-year contract… for Homebush, but we're not going to do that anymore, we then have to pay, probably in cash, with the vendors that we had arrangements with.

“Now it's not my money, it's taxpayer money, and I'd love to be able to do it, grant the request for Souths to move back to Moore Park, but I think the contract's got to be honoured.

“I know that the minister's speaking with South Sydney about a potential way through it, because if there's an uplift at Moore Park. Maybe it can offset the costs at Olympic Park, but it's a difficult one to navigate.”

Minns also opened up about the process of upgrading suburban grounds in order to guarantee their long-term viability for professional and community use.

Recently, money has been allocated towards the upgrade of Leichhardt Oval and Henson Park to ensure adequate facilities and safer grandstands, however, grounds like Ocean Protect Stadium, Cronulla’s home ground, Campbelltown Stadium, and Kograh Oval have all been identified as needing an upgrade.

“We'd love to put more money into a lot of these suburban fields, but we're limited by how much is in the kitty,” Minns said.

“I know that the Sharks, as well as the Dragons, as well as there's a big call for funding in Campbelltown Oval and others.

“We're happy to look at discrete projects, but as for a multi-million dollar, tens of millions of dollars, we just don't have those funds available.

“It's a difficult one, but I'm not on the programme today, unfortunately, announcing a massive funding upgrade for suburban ovals.”