Qld: Broncos' coach took cash from mining magnate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2007
Qld: Broncos' coach took cash from mining magnate

BRISBANE, Dec 9 AAP - Brisbane Broncos' coach Wayne Bennett has received cash gifts
from mining magnate Ken Talbot, who is facing charges over cash donations to former government
minister Gordon Nuttall.

News Ltd papers today reported that Talbot, the founder of Macarthur Coal, had confirmed
he had been making cash gifts to Bennett since 2004 and that he regularly gave money to
friends.

The Sunday Mail newspaper reported Talbot had a million-dollar arrangement with Bennett
worth $100,000 a year in cash gifts for 10 years.

Talbot was quoted as saying the money was placed in a Bennett family trust account
and was for the care of Bennett's disabled children Justin and Katherine.

"I have helped him financially, yes ... I've helped him for a couple of years actually,"

Talbot was quoted as saying.

"But it's particularly for his children.

"In principle, I have sought to help Wayne and one day I hope his family can achieve
the things they want to achieve.

"Wayne has enormous responsibility providing for those disadvantaged children.

"From that viewpoint, I'm happy to assist Wayne."

When contacted by The Sunday Mail, Bennett declined to comment, saying: "I don't discuss
family matters publicly.

"Any arrangement I had with Ken Talbot was disclosed by me to Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen
earlier this year," he said.

Cullen said he was aware Bennett accepted payments from Talbot.

Former state government minister Gordon Nuttall, who in 2005 was forced to resign as
health minister in the Beattie government, is already facing a committal hearing in January
for allegedly receiving $300,000 from Talbot between 2002 and 2005.

They have both been charged with 35 counts of corruption and will face trial in Brisbane
next year.

Talbot told The Sunday Mail that Bennett, who earns $540,000 a year as coach of the
Broncos, did not seek financial help.

He said the cash payments to Bennett needed to be taken in the "context of the overall
investment I have made in the community."

Talbot is affiliated with the Thoroughbreds - a group of high profile businessmen set
up with Bennett to act as a support network for Broncos players.

The Sunday Mail said Bennett made the the disclosure in March and the NRL launched
investigations into potential salary cap breaches by the Broncos.

There has been speculation Talbot also made secret payments totalling $700,000 to former
Broncos powerbroker Don Nissen, now chairman of the Talbot Group.

But Talbot said: "With Don, we needed a chairman of our group.

"We asked him if he wanted to come on as chairman and he agreed.

"We did a package for that and he contributes in that way.

"I see that as a normal business arrangement, it's not one of our social investments."

News Ltd, which owns the Broncos NRL Club, say there is no suggestion the payments
to Bennett are corrupt but he could face investigation by the Australian Taxation Office.

AAP rad/arb/bwl

KEYWORD: BENNETT

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