Jim Chalmers Becomes First MP To Be Sworn In On A Copy Of The 1998 Grand Final Rugby League Week

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has become the first Member of Parliament to be sworn in on a magazine as the First Albanese Government gets the go-ahead from Governor-General David Hurley in Canberra today.

Clutching his copy of the commemorative 1998 Grand Final editon of the once-popular bi-fortnightly newsletter, Rugby League Week, the Queenslander said today was a day of many firsts.

“Oh, I remember getting this at the newsagency back in the day, when Brisbane was the sporting capital of Australia. The Lions were showing those dirty Victorians how to kick a football between a few posts. The Broncs were raging and whatever the soccer boys were doing, I’m sure we were winning. Pretty sure the Reds were up there but can’t be sure. The Bulls were smoking any team they came up,” he told reporters out the front of Government House a short time ago.

“But yeah, I reckon it was really synthesised in this magazine. So yeah, it was a no brainer for me.”

More to come.