
Issue No 68		25 August 2000

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Sport

Alliance Tackles Cowboys

By The Alliance

The NRL Players Association had a big win on the eve of the rugby league finals series when the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Club were ordered to pay veteran front-rower John Lomax $66,910.

At a hearing in Sydney, the NRL appeals committee heard evidence from the MEAA, represented by Sydney staffer Jake Peacock, that Lomax had been accused of breaching the deed of release he had negotiated with the club and was not entitled to further payments from the Cowboys as a result.

The Cowboys argued that Lomax had breached a clause in his contract that prevented him from making detrimental comments to the press about the club. Citing newspaper reports published in the Sydney Daily Telegraph and the Townsville Bulletin, representatives from the North Queensland club claimed that Lomax had contravened the terms of the agreement in an interview, which mentioned club coach, Tim Sheens.

Committee chairman, Sir Laurence Street, a former NSW Chief Justice, ruled that the comments Lomax had made in the reports could not be deemed detrimental to the Cowboys and found in his favour.

"There was no legal basis for the Cowboys' argument", according to Jake Peacock, "Any fair minded person could not deem John's comments as detrimental to the club. It was a great result."

Cowboys chief Rabieh Krayem said the club would not appeal the decision. Lomax since finished his career with the Melbourne Storm.

In other NRLPA related news, the Association acted on behalf of another former Cowboy, Paul Green, in a contractual dispute with the Cowboys claiming he or his manager had breached the NRL anti-tampering provisions. Despite mediation, the parties could not reach an agreement and it has been referred to the Queensland Supreme Court.

Green has signed a new three-year deal with the Sydney Roosters after being released mid-season by the Cowboys.

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Issue 68 contents

Interview: New Unionist
Britain's Trade Union Congress secretary John Monks on life under Blair and why the future of unionism could well rest in Europe.

History: The Victims of Whiggery
George Loveless, the leader of the rural workers who became the Tolpuddle Martyrs, recorded his ideals and experiences in a pamphlet that brings his story to life.

Economics: The Final Station
Corporatisation was first introduced into Australia by the former Greiner Coalition government. What is 'corporatisation' and who should we hold to account under its prescriptions?

International: Massive Union Win in American Telecom
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced on Thursday a settlement with Verizon Communications ending a fifteen day strike by 87,000 telephone workers from Maine to Virginia.

Unions: A Vital Community Service
What keeps the engine of the Australian economy running? Manufacturing productivity, the stock market, exports? Try child care.

Satire: Putin copies Clinton: dead seamen stains reputation
MOSCOW, Tuesday: Russian naval authorities today faced staunch criticism, and the anger of a nation gripped by tragedy, as they conceded that all 118 Russian submariners trapped in the nuclear submarine, the Kursk, had died.

Review: Blow Up The Pokies
Whether it arouses public debate about Gambling is best left to the public but Peter Zangarri thinks Tim Freedman is on a winner with the Whitlam's latest CD.

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» Dealing With Workplace Deaths