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ABC News
ABC News
National
by political reporter Tom Lowrey

Scott Morrison signals interest in joining Australian Rugby League Commission

Scott Morrison made an approach to join the ARLC but they don't seem to have any positions vacant. (AAP: Craig Golding)

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has approached key figures inside rugby league about joining the game's governing board.

The ABC has confirmed Mr Morrison made approaches to rugby league insiders about joining the Australian Rugby League Commission.

However, there are no current vacancies.

Following the Coalition's election defeat, Mr Morrison indicated he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party, but stay on the backbench as the member for Cook.

He told Nine Radio in the days following the election that he was looking forward to more time at home, and working under the new Liberal Party leadership.

"The party will regroup and focus again under new leadership and I look forward to giving that new leadership every support and then going back to being a quiet Australian in the Sutherland Shire," he said.

There are eight members of the ARL Commission, including two former politicians.

It is chaired by Racing NSW CEO Peter V'landys, and features former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, and former Queensland government minister Kate Jones.

It has broad responsibility for the management of rugby league in Australia, from the grassroots through to the professional level.

Mr Morrison is an outspoken supporter of the game and the Cronulla Sharks, based near his home in Sydney's Sutherland Shire.

It was widely reported he attended the first State of Origin fixture in early June, as a guest in a corporate box that also hosted the new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and other figures in business and politics.

Other recent former prime ministers have taken on a range of positions after their political careers ended.

Julia Gillard is the chair of Beyond Blue and the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, and Tony Abbott is an advisor to the UK's Board of Trade.

Kevin Rudd is President and CEO of the Asia Society, and Malcolm Turnbull is on the board of the International Hydropower Association.

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