Keep politics out of footy

[The Big Cat]

The libs did the same with a kindergarten in SA. Georgie Downer presented a government cheque when she was a failed candidate at the last election in that electorate.

[Blood Fever]

For the Swans it's a "good news" story at a time when they need good news stories - ie because the team isn't travelling so well onfield. I'm not so convinced as you are that it's easy to tell politicians to get stuffed. Not during an election campaign that seems to be being fought (by both parties) not on major issues and values but cash splash promises to emotionally charged targets.

If this had been an election pledge, I'd 100% agree with you. Since it's committed funding that just happens to have been committed during an election campaign, I'm 75% with you (but prepared to cut the club a little slack).

So, after accepting the money, the Swans should have insisted that one of the many people in the photo should be sidelined? That's not how it works and is hardly an endorsement on behalf of the club. Sneaky effort by Frydenberg and Sharma but Swans hardly colluding with them. Used up by the Liberals but realistically powerless.

[Legs Akimbo]

So, after accepting the money, the Swans should have insisted that one of the many people in the photo should be sidelined? That's not how it works and is hardly an endorsement on behalf of the club. Sneaky effort by Frydenberg and Sharma but Swans hardly colluding with them. Used up by the Liberals but realistically powerless.

I'd agree with you if Dave Sharma was the local MP. He isn't - he is a Liberal party candidate. Its now blatently political and the swans by participating have been implied as being partisan. That isn't cool in my book.

Either the Swans were not informed he was in attendance or they agreed to it. I suspect the latter given how these events are scheduled and choreographed in advance. If so, they should have advised his presence was not required / appropriate.

[AnnieH]

Didn't Gladys give them $30M last year?
That's $45M of taxpayer's money - is that really fair or right when kids are sitting in demountables with no air conditioning, when there are hospital waiting lists?
Shouldn't this money be coming from the AFL or be subsidised by clubs who have poker machines?

[top40]

Wasn't impressed by this at all. I don't think most supporters, irrespective of their political views, want the club giving de facto endorsement to a candidate during a federal campaign. Note this thread isn't a political forum!

https://www.smh.com.au/federal-elect...25-p51h3n.html

I think it’s proper to declare myself a Labor supporter.

This is tacky, very tacky. If you live in Wentworth, even if you’re a hard core Liberal voter, this occasion should persuade you surely not to vote for Mr Sharma. Using our beloved Club to buy votes. Disgusting!

[O'Reilly Boy]

I think it’s proper to declare myself a Labor supporter.

This is tacky, very tacky. If you live in Wentworth, even if you’re a hard core Liberal voter, this occasion should persuade you surely not to vote for Mr Sharma. Using our beloved Club to buy votes. Disgusting!

Also declaring myself a left-learning voter, I offer the following.

A fortnight ago I received a notification from the manager of my daughter's U12 team, asking us to bring our daughters to training early for a photo opportunity with Trent Zimmerman.

There was no reference to his being the sitting Liberal member for North Sydney, although the notification also explained that we would be asked to sign a release to allow the use of any photograph for an unstated purpose.

I wrote back, not rudely, but directly, suggesting both that Mr Zimmerman's role and party membership should have been explicit in the correspondence with us, and that my daughter would not be available for the purposes of producing campaign collateral. Zimmerman is not a bad person himself, and is certainly on the more progressive side of the ledger, but I have a big problem with my daughter and her teammates being enrolled in the support of a party which, as far as I'm concerned, is actively and recklessly betraying their futures.

At the same time, if the request, with full disclosure, had been made at another point in the electoral cycle, I would have been more open to it, understanding that local members have the right and, perhaps, obligation to inform their voters about what they have been doing (and the re-opening of the Gore Hill ground, notwithstanding the comments on another thread, is a good news story). Or perhaps I would have let her be photographed, but not signed the release . . .

[Blood Fever]

I'd agree with you if Dave Sharma was the local MP. He isn't - he is a Liberal party candidate. Its now blatently political and the swans by participating have been implied as being partisan. That isn't cool in my book.

Either the Swans were not informed he was in attendance or they agreed to it. I suspect the latter given how these events are scheduled and choreographed in advance. If so, they should have advised his presence was not required / appropriate.

Easy after the event and would be reluctant to bite the hand that feeds you. Typical liberal party dodginess( labor not immune) but people are over reacting.

- - - Updated - - -

Also declaring myself a left-learning voter, I offer the following.

A fortnight ago I received a notification from the manager of my daughter's U12 team, asking us to bring our daughters to training early for a photo opportunity with Trent Zimmerman.

There was no reference to his being the sitting Liberal member for North Sydney, although the notification also explained that we would be asked to sign a release to allow the use of any photograph for an unstated purpose.

I wrote back, not rudely, but directly, suggesting both that Mr Zimmerman's role and party membership should have been explicit in the correspondence with us, and that my daughter would not be available for the purposes of producing campaign collateral. Zimmerman is not a bad person himself, and is certainly on the more progressive side of the ledger, but I have a big problem with my daughter and her teammates being enrolled in the support of a party which, as far as I'm concerned, is actively and recklessly betraying their futures.

At the same time, if the request, with full disclosure, had been made at another point in the electoral cycle, I would have been more open to it, understanding that local members have the right and, perhaps, obligation to inform their voters about what they have been doing (and the re-opening of the Gore Hill ground, notwithstanding the comments on another thread, is a good news story). Or perhaps I would have let her be photographed, but not signed the release . . .

Good work by you but millions of dollars in grant not involved.

- - - Updated - - -

Also declaring myself a left-learning voter, I offer the following.

A fortnight ago I received a notification from the manager of my daughter's U12 team, asking us to bring our daughters to training early for a photo opportunity with Trent Zimmerman.

There was no reference to his being the sitting Liberal member for North Sydney, although the notification also explained that we would be asked to sign a release to allow the use of any photograph for an unstated purpose.

I wrote back, not rudely, but directly, suggesting both that Mr Zimmerman's role and party membership should have been explicit in the correspondence with us, and that my daughter would not be available for the purposes of producing campaign collateral. Zimmerman is not a bad person himself, and is certainly on the more progressive side of the ledger, but I have a big problem with my daughter and her teammates being enrolled in the support of a party which, as far as I'm concerned, is actively and recklessly betraying their futures.

At the same time, if the request, with full disclosure, had been made at another point in the electoral cycle, I would have been more open to it, understanding that local members have the right and, perhaps, obligation to inform their voters about what they have been doing (and the re-opening of the Gore Hill ground, notwithstanding the comments on another thread, is a good news story). Or perhaps I would have let her be photographed, but not signed the release . . .

Good work by you but millions of dollars in grant not involved.

[aardvark]

Is it really going to change the way you vote?

[stevoswan]

I wasn't impressed....to me, just appearing with them is tacit endorsement.

[Mel_C]

Governments providing money to sporting clubs is nothing new. Gillard gave money to the bulldogs for the Whitten Oval redevelopment and the Vic government gave money to Geelong for Kardinia Park. So I have no issue with accepting government money.

What I don't like is that Sharma was included in the announcement when he isn't the sitting member. It's not a good look. He wanted the publicity to gain votes.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Firstly, why it this thread here? It belongs in the open discussion area being a political thread.
Secondly, its so funny reading the hypocritical comments from all the pissed off Labor/Greens voters. Keep politics out of footy? Are you serious? The club has been positioning itself right in the middle of political differences of opinion for years. Gay marriage, etc, etc. Where was your outrage then? I'll bet that have the state Labor party done this prior to the state election that you wouldn't have given a toss. You can't eat your cake and have it too.
Thirdly, at least the Liberals haven't used the money as a bribe. The money goes to the project regardless of who wins the election.
Finally, the club will do whatever is needed for financial gain. Just look at their relationship with Qatar Airways which is owned by the Qatar Government which enforces Sharia Law. Where is you outrage about this?

[liz]

Firstly, why it this thread here? It belongs in the open discussion area being a political thread.

Because it's a discussion about the club aligning itself with the election campaign (or an opinion that it could be perceived to be so doing), not about personal political values. Hence it is relevant to Swans Chat.

I don't think anyone in the thread has yet made any comment pertaining to their own political leanings, apart from the role of the club in being seen to support one party or the other. As soon as it changes tack, it may get moved (or off topic posts just deleted).

[stellation]

Firstly, why it this thread here? It belongs in the open discussion area being a political thread.
Secondly, its so funny reading the hypocritical comments from all the pissed off Labor/Greens voters. Keep politics out of footy? Are you serious? The club has been positioning itself right in the middle of political differences of opinion for years. Gay marriage, etc, etc. Where was your outrage then? I'll bet that have the state Labor party done this prior to the state election that you wouldn't have given a toss. You can't eat your cake and have it too.
Thirdly, at least the Liberals haven't used the money as a bribe. The money goes to the project regardless of who wins the election.
Finally, the club will do whatever is needed for financial gain. Just look at their relationship with Qatar Airways which is owned by the Qatar Government which enforces Sharia Law. Where is you outrage about this?

I fail to see how taking a position on a social issue, albeit one that unfortunately was used to fuel partisan politics, such as equal marriage rights is even close to posing with political candidates in the run up to an election.

It is unfortunate- I can appreciate the club wanting to secure funding, but someone should have been on top of this to make sure it didn't become a stunt. Sharma is a candidate only, there was no need for him to be there (short of a bit of election publicity).

[Markwebbos]

Firstly, why it this thread here? It belongs in the open discussion area being a political thread.
Secondly, its so funny reading the hypocritical comments from all the pissed off Labor/Greens voters. Keep politics out of footy? Are you serious? The club has been positioning itself right in the middle of political differences of opinion for years. Gay marriage, etc, etc. Where was your outrage then? I'll bet that have the state Labor party done this prior to the state election that you wouldn't have given a toss. You can't eat your cake and have it too.
Thirdly, at least the Liberals haven't used the money as a bribe. The money goes to the project regardless of who wins the election.
Finally, the club will do whatever is needed for financial gain. Just look at their relationship with Qatar Airways which is owned by the Qatar Government which enforces Sharia Law. Where is you outrage about this?

Hi SSB

I did write to the club about it's trip to Qatar. Saying in part: "... for the Swans to visit Qatar and endorse facilities built on the back of the enslavement and deaths of migrant workers is a step too far for me. And I quoted an article which said, 'If we were to hold a minute of silence for every estimated death of a migrant worker due to the constructions of the Qatar World Cup, the first 44 matches of the tournament would be played in silence.'..."

to which the club replied, in part: "The recent trip to Doha provided access to the world’s best facilities, sports science and rehabilitation practices via Aspire Academy and Aspetar which is the primary reason the Swans’ coaches, players and key medical staff travelled to Qatar. In regards to our partnership with Qatar Airways, our alignment is that we both want to provide premium experiences for our customers. The Sydney Swans has its own values and as such we would never let another organisation or sponsor dictate these values." (emphasis added)

You are right that defending gay rights, is a political act. But it's not a party political one, during an election campaign, which might affect the outcome.

So is all the Anzackery that's about to descend on the SCG tonight. Not a fan of the militarisation of football, but there you go.

I'm tempted to write to the club re: Sharmagate.

[top40]

Firstly, why it this thread here? It belongs in the open discussion area being a political thread.
Secondly, its so funny reading the hypocritical comments from all the pissed off Labor/Greens voters. Keep politics out of footy? Are you serious? The club has been positioning itself right in the middle of political differences of opinion for years. Gay marriage, etc, etc. Where was your outrage then? I'll bet that have the state Labor party done this prior to the state election that you wouldn't have given a toss. You can't eat your cake and have it too.
Thirdly, at least the Liberals haven't used the money as a bribe. The money goes to the project regardless of who wins the election.
Finally, the club will do whatever is needed for financial gain. Just look at their relationship with Qatar Airways which is owned by the Qatar Government which enforces Sharia Law. Where is you outrage about this?

The big difference here is this is pure 100% PARTY politics set out in the middle of an election campaign that is directly using the SYDNEY Swans Football Club. And semantics aside, it is relevant to this thread.

I repeat my earlier declaration: I am a Labor supporter.