The bitter dispute over the axing of Super Rugby team the Western Force will be discussed in Federal Parliament today, as a WA Liberal senator asks the Upper House to establish an inquiry into the affair.
The Perth-based team was dumped from the Super Rugby competition by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) last month, and yesterday lost a court bid to be reinstated.
It prompted billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest to launch a breakaway international competition, including the Western Force in a six team line-up.
Senator Linda Reynolds believes there are grounds for Federal Parliament to investigate the ARU and compel it to give evidence, alleging there is a cultural problem within management.
"Having a look at the lack of transparency in the decision-making process of how they ended up picking Western Force to go, clearly indicates to me that there is something deeply in trouble, or troublesome, in the heart of ARU," she said.
"We've heard variously that it was about money, about the number of teams.
"If they've got nothing to hide, they've got nothing to fear."
Senator Reynolds said she had cross-party support to establish the investigation, and gave notice to move the motion in the Upper House today.
"I've talked to my West Australian colleagues from across the chamber, and we are resolute in having this Senate inquiry to get the facts out because the people of Western Australia deserve it," she said.
"Not only do they deserve answers, but the taxpayers of Western Australia have paid $120 million to support the team on the understanding we would have the team until at least 2020."
If established, the inquiry would be due to report back to the Senate in November.
"We'd still like to see the reinstatement of the Western Force, but if you don't get the information the board made the decision on, and the financial information or justification, it's very hard to then go back and put another case," Senator Reynolds said.
"It's not only [the players'] passion, it's their career, but it's also their families' livelihood."
