O’Neill could be new NSW major events board supremo

A report in the Daily Telegraph today says that former ARU and Soccer Australia head John O’Neill could take up a permanent post as the head of the state’s first major events board in an effort to stop Sydney haemorrhaging big ticket drawcards to Melbourne.

The rport also says that Sydney’s reputation as an events city suffered another blow yesterday when it emerged that the Broadway blockbuster Wicked would premiere in Melbourne instead of the Harbour City.

The miss has spotlighted Sydney’s lack of a body dedicated to attracting major events and tourism chiefs warn that without someone in a permanent role, Sydney might as well give up.

Even Mr O’Neill’s current role as a consultant to the State Government on major events is only on a temporary and part-time basis.

However, his recent announcement that he would not be returning to lead the Australian Rugby Union has fuelled speculation he is primed to take on a bigger role.

Mr O’Neill’s background as a former head of both the ARU and Football Federation Australia, and his current position on the board of Tourism Australia, make him an ideal candidate.

An industry source said Mr O’Neill was believed to be leaning towards taking on a permanent position in Sydney, rather than a federal role.

“He has two major options on the tourism front and let’s just say I don’t see him leaving the state,” they said.

A State Government source also confirmed that there was a standing invitation for Mr O’Neill to step up to a permanent and/or full-time position as the head of a major events body.

“If John O’Neill wants to be around full time he’d be most welcome,” the source said.

Mr O’Neill was appointed by Premier Morris Iemma in February to conduct a review into Sydney’s capacity to attract major events and tourism, however because the Government was in caretaker mode at the time he was unable to start his work until April.

He is expected to announce his plans for a major events board next month, along with an assessment of Sydney’s convention and exhibition facilities.

A further report on Sydney’s tourism capabilities is expected in October.

The Tourism and Transport Forum, the peak industry lobby group, said it was vital Sydney got a permanent and full-time spruiker – and soon.

“You need a full-time major events corporation with a high profile, well-connected chair, otherwise we might as well give up,” TTF chief Christopher Brown told The Daily Telegraph.

Opposition events spokesman George Souris said Sydney was falling far behind its interstate counterparts.

“The Victorian and Queensland Governments know the value of an events-driven calendar for the state’s economy and tourism industry. NSW is just sitting there watching them all go by,” he said.

It is understood that the full report by Mr O’Neill to be revealed in October may have extensive impacts on the structure of tourism and events in government in NSW and that some very blunt briefing discussions have taken place between Mr O’Neill and industry leaders who presented a very bleak picture of the current structure, capabilities and effectiveness of tourism in government in NSW.

Report by The Mole and The Daily Telegraph