Parker slams Tigers leaflet

Leichhardt Council has moved to repudiate claims in an anonymous leaflet that its actions were “sending Tigers broke”.

The leaflet was distributed at the game between Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, July 19. It accused Leichhardt Council Mayor Jamie Parker of failing to approve the league club’s development, and refusing to support upgrades and more games at the Oval.

“Every issue is factually incorrect…and the antithesis of ‘Open Council’,” Cr Parker said during Council meeting on Tuesday. “This type of material undermines community trust and goes against open and informed public debate. Anonymous leaflets have no place in this criticism. We should be highlighting them as the cowardly act they are.”

Cr Parker highlighted that a development for the club had not been approved because a development application had not yet been lodged. “Council has not refused a DA; Council has encouraged a DA; we don’t have a DA,” he said.

He added that Council had fully supported upgrades to Leichhardt Oval and recently approved a development application for the Oval, spending over $1 million in recent years on upgrades.

Tigers denied any involvement with or knowledge of the leaflets. “I have spoken with Mayor Jamie Parker and I have advised him that the club is in no way connected with the leaflet,” said Balmain Tigers chairman David Trodden. “We have always respected, and we will continue to respect, the consultation principles and the governance guidelines which underpin the Council decision-making process.”