A review into the independent commission "has only just been completed," but that has not stopped "freshly minted" Queensland Rugby League Chair Bruce Hatcher from "firing a shot across the bow of rugby league powerbrokers" by insisting his organization "wants a seat at the table as they look to end a perceived communication void," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Hatcher, who took over as QRL chair when Peter Betros resigned late last week, was one of the architects of the Australian Rugby League Commission's formation five years ago. At the time, "he pushed for the QRL to be given a place on the commission itself but eventually relented, clearing the way for the body to be made up of eight business people with no club or state connections." Hatcher insisted the "time has come for change." Hatcher said, "Clearly communication with the commission is paramount. We have been in a situation where it has been a totally independent commission and we haven't had anyone at the table. We don't believe we have received adequate communication regularly enough about what is going on." Hatcher's view is "mirrored by officials" at the New South Wales Rugby League and "within clubland." Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates conducted a review of the commission at the behest of Chair John Grant but "change is afoot regardless of his recommendations." The latest concept would result in the commission being expanded to nine people made up of five independents, two representatives from the clubs, one from the QRL and one from the NSW Rugby League. Hatcher made it clear the QRL had "no plans to give up its veto right over changes to the constitution" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/31).
