Stuart Ayres claims plans are still on track to build the new Penrith stadium on separate land, allowing the Panthers to continue playing at their current home fortress next NRL season.
The fate of Penrith's $300 million project has hung in the balance since August, when several suburban ground upgrades were pushed back and an ugly rift emerged between the NRL and NSW government.
That coincided with Ayres' resignation as sports minister, over his alleged role in the John Barilaro New York trade post affair.
Ayres has since been cleared of any wrongdoing in that saga, and while he has dead-batted questions about a return to cabinet, he remains the member for Penrith.
Both Ayres and the Panthers claimed in July that the new Penrith stadium would be built on the site of the area's Paceway, which is situated across the road from the current ground, BlueBet Stadium.
That would allow the Panthers to continue playing at BlueBet Stadium before the new stadium was opened, which they could not do if it was being rebuilt.
New sports minister Alister Heskens said last month no decision had yet been made on the site for the stadium.
Regardless, Ayres told reporters at Penrith's NRL premiership celebrations that the Paceway was still the planned site and the Panthers would continue playing at home next year.
"We're just progressing with our commercial negotiation with the Paceway, the adjoining land," Ayres said.
"It's definitely the best spot to build the stadium. We know that. We'll just go through that process and get a good result.
"It'll mean that the players and the fans know that we're playing at the existing Penrith stadium next year.
"But once we get that deal done, we're going to get on with it and build a stadium that outer Western Sydney deserves.
"But definitely next year they'll be playing here while we complete our commercial negotiation."
Ayers' comments will hearten the two-time defending premiers.
When Penrith contested their week-one finals match against Parramatta, there was a feeling from some in the club that could be the last time they would play at the venue.
The Panthers have a 25-2 record at BlueBet Stadium in the past three years, and a two-season shift to CommBank Stadium in Parramatta could cause some dent to their title defence.
"The Paceway site is by far and away the best site for the stadium. It's the best site for Penrith the city," Ayres continued.
(That's) just (because of) size.
"We've seen as we've redone Commbank from the old Parramatta Stadium, even what we did at Allianz, just modern facilities are bigger.
"There's more space, there's more public amenity, there's more space between concourses and seats, there's more food and beverage options.
"More rooms that can be hired. So non-event day revenue can be can be higher as well."
