The Premier, Colin Barnett has defended the decision by Sports Minister Terry Waldron to award a compensation grant to Perth Glory just months after receiving a donation from the club’s owner.

Glory owner Tony Sage donated $25,000 to the WA Nationals party just months after his club received a $400,000 compensation payout to cover revenue lost as a result of the state’s redevelopment of Perth Oval.

In parliament yesterday, Mr Waldron conceded the decision to hand the soccer club compensation was made without Cabinet approval.

The Premier has told Fairfax Radio there is no link between the decision to award the club compensation and the donation.

“I don’t see a connection there,” he said.

“In fact I can assure you there isn’t a connection, that issue was dealt with by myself, and Terry Waldron, and the responsive sports department, and Premier and Cabinet, and look, no-one’s going to be influenced by a donation like that.”