State Government support is crucial to Perth hosting 2017 Rugby League World Cup matches.

Newly appointed tournament chief executive Michael Brown said he was keen to showcase the game across the country but the WA Government would need to show willingness to be involved.

Brown was in charge of soccer’s Asian Cup and has overseen Perth Glory’s selection process for a new chief executive.

He said governments would not get “something for nothing” from the tournament that will be played in October and November 2017 in Australia and New Zealand.

“You cannot hope to hold international sporting events in this country without government support, but you’ve got to be competitive and no one gets the right to host something for nothing,” Brown said.

“We’ll certainly be keen to talk to the Government. I’ll certainly be talking to them about whether there is an interest to participate and play games in Perth.

“I will ask whether there is an appetite and if so then these are the sort of packages we are offering and this is the support we’ll need.

“Governments are central because fundamentally they represent people and it’s not about making profits. It’s about putting on great events. They are not cheap and you need lots of support.

“You’ve got to have broadcasters, governments, commercial partners and the support of rugby league.

“Whatever you can do to take games around the country, we should be doing that but you’ve got to do it with willing partners. You’ve all got to work together.”

Tourism WA executive director of events Gwyn Dolphin said discussions with the NRL were at an early stage.

Brown said the success of NRL games in Perth, and in particular the successive record- breaking matches staged by the Rabbitohs at nib Stadium, showed there was an appetite for the game.

“There is a real culture of sport in Perth and rugby league is a part of that,” he said.

“We want to make this tournament as big as we can and make as big a splash as we can to get people to engage in rugby league. This event should be the biggest and best rugby league event ever.”