Australia's chance of hosting the FIFA world cup is being jeopardised by the Barnett government's incompetent handling of WA's stadium development, the state opposition claims.
The federal government has previously announced that it will nominate Australia as a potential host for the 2018 soccer world cup, with proposals due in December this year.
Opposition sports spokesman Ken Travers said the best option for WA was to build the proposed new 60,000 seat multipurpose stadium.
"Mr Barnett's decision to delay any consideration of this option for two years will damage Australia's World Cup bid," he said.
"A revamped Subiaco Oval without retractable seating will leave Australia playing catch up in the bidding war and if it is revamped to meet FIFA's standards it will end up costing the same as a new stadium."
He added that proposals to upgrade Members Equity Stadium will not help Australia's proposal.
"The proposed redevelopment of Members Equity Stadium does not include enough seats to meet the 40,000 seat minimum requirement nor will there be sufficient design detail by December 2009 for it to be part of the Australian bid," Mr Travers said.
"What is more, the cost of this proposal has increased from $160 million to $200 million and the Government's unfair demands on the Town of Vincent will see this development locked up in protracted negotiations for years.
"Labor has consistently called on the Government to get its act together on building a world-class major stadium for Perth.
"It is up to every State in Australia to contribute quality stadiums to assist Australia win this great sporting event and provide a massive boost to our struggling tourism industry.
