Opinion Sports Columnist May 9, 2026 — 9:30am When Treasurer Jim Chalmers steps towards the dispatch box on Tuesday night to deliver his federal budget, he might be relieved the distance between him and the opposition isn’t shorter than that of two swords. But it’ll be a rough night regardless; robbing much from many isn’t pleasant. But as a nation, we’ve all got to search down the back of the couch for our misplaced coins. Because we have to find $600 million for a new non-Australian rugby league team, whether we like it or not. Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas, Tigers captain Jarome Luai and Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson after Luai signs with the PNG Chiefs. The Papua New Guinea Chiefs don’t yet exist in any meaningful sense. They have no jersey, no captain, no player who has taken the field. What they do have is some directors, a coach, a “resort” to be repurposed for player accommodation, and a recruitment proposition no other club in the NRL can match: tax-free wages.…
