A senior member of Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal party said on Monday that the government should consider paying a fine to allow the Australian cricket team to withdraw from its tour of Zimbabwe.
Lawmaker Bronwyn Bishop, a former cabinet minister, said she had problems with the Australian team touring Zimbabwe. She said she backed player Stuart MacGill’s decision to make himself unavailable.
She said the government should pay up to a $2-million to the International Cricket Council to enable Australia to withdraw and allow players a conscience vote on the issue.
”If it was up to me, I’d say yes,” she told the Seven television network.
”The government could consider making a payment to the cricket board to keep it afloat because I think I’ve seen the story that says if they don’t go and they’re fined that there’s a flow-on effect from the sale of seats, television rights . . .
”I do think it’s a very important issue, I felt very strongly for Stuart MacGill.”
Last week, MacGill advised Australian cricket selectors prior to their choosing the test and one-day squads for the tour starting next month that he did not believe he could tour Zimbabwe and maintain a clear conscience.
Australia is due to visit Zimbabwe from May 13 to June 13 to play two tests and three one-day internationals.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has been accused of human rights and other abuses. England’s cricket board is considering whether to cancel a November tour in order to protest Mugabe’s government’s policies. – Sapa-AP