Analysis: The row between Michael Daley and Alan Jones has revived the Sydney stadium controversy

Updated

Was Michael Daley mad or smart to take on one of the nation's most influential broadcasters?

In a heated on-air exchange yesterday, the NSW Opposition Leader told radio broadcaster Alan Jones he would sack him and the rest of the SCG Trust board, if he wins the election.

The Berejiklian Government last year announced it would knock down and rebuild the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS), and dismantling works have already started.

But Mr Daley has warned if Labor wins the NSW election on March 23, it will not rebuild the stadium and will instead pursue priorities in health and education.

Labor and Liberal party insiders are now listening closely to see if Jones seeks his revenge on Mr Daley over the next two and a half weeks before New South Wales voters go to the polls.

When the ABC spoke with Jones after he came off air, he simply laughed off the incident and said "Michael Daley is out of his depth".

"It doesn't matter who gets sacked, I'm doing this for nothing," he said.

"The problem will still be there, the stadium by any objective criteria is unsafe and needs to be rebuilt. It's as simple as that."

For many, it's hard to imagine the incident will be left at the friendly banter between the two men as Mr Daley exited the studio.

"That was a tantrum, throwing his toys out of the cot because he was under pressure in an interview," Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.

"For the next two and a half weeks Jones will question Daley's integrity and credibility on air," a former Liberal minister said.

"When you listen back to the full interview with Alan Jones it felt like he was trying to nail Jones back," one Liberal MP said.

"He was rattled by Jones as he was being belted over donations when he was at Randwick City Council," he said.

But another former senior Liberal staffer described it as "a smart move".

"He rallies the Labor troops, finally he seems to be fighting for something and against someone they despise," he said.

In 2012 Jones was forced to apologise after saying prime minister Julia Gillard's father would have 'died of shame' over his daughter's policies.

And last year he apologised for comments he made to the head of the Sydney Opera House, Louise Herron, after calling for her to be sacked during a debate on the promotion of a horse race on the iconic sails.

'Calling it as it is'

Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons has written extensively about the Government's stadiums policy and started a petition that received more than 200,000 signatures.

"Sydney gave him [Daley] a standing ovation for telling the truth. I admire Daley calling it as it is," he said.

But FitzSimons said Jones likening the Sydney Football stadium to the UK's Hillsborough stadium incident was offensive to those who died.

In 1989, 96 people died after spectators were crushed at the Hillsborough stadium in England after an FA Cup semi final match.

The coroner's report recommended a number of safety improvements be made to the stadium.

"If Jones thinks it's a Hillsborough after being on the board for 30 years why hasn't he resigned? And why was it open for business until late last year?" FitzSimons said.

Whether the call to have Jones and the SCG board sacked was on purpose or an accident, it has definitely put the stadium issue back on the political agenda.

And there is no doubt that's right where Labor wants it — as it continues to be a major polling issue for them.

One poll found that 82 per cent of people are opposed to the Government's stadium plans.

Mr Daley maintained his stance on the SCG board as the news unfolded, and Labor sources continued to defend their leader, saying the row was planned.

Regardless of whether it was intentional or an accident, Premier Gladys Berejiklian will be forced to confront the stadium issue once again.

A judgement on a community group's challenge to stop the NSW Government knocking down the SFS will be heard today at 4.30pm in the NSW Land and Environment court.

Topics: state-parliament, state-elections, government-and-politics, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted