Offended Queensland officials have come out swinging at the notion that the ARL is intent on derailing the introduction of a new independent rugby league commission.

The ARL board's four-strong Queensland contingent was left fuming over newspaper reports claiming they had dropped the ball by not signing off on an independent body to oversee all aspects of the code at a Brisbane meeting on Tuesday.

So much so that they released a passionate statement to try to put the record straight.

The ARL emerged from the Tuesday meeting pledging their "ongoing support" for the creation of an independent body.

But there was no deadline given for its introduction - prompting reports that ARL "dinosaurs" missed the chance to rubber-stamp a plan that would modernise the game.

"The QRL members of the ARL board take offence to published statements and comments that link them to moves to stop the creation of an independent body/commission," a QRL statement read.

"At the ARL meeting held in Brisbane on Tuesday, QRL members advanced the accepted motion that News Limited be advised that the ARL agrees to the creation of a structure that gives a single body control over the efficient administration of rugby league in Australia.

"It must be realised that the ARL board members had not seen the document detailing the proposal until it was tabled at the meeting by the chairman (Colin Love on Tuesday).

"Directors would be derelict in their duty if they did not apply due diligence and examine the various matters of the proposal in detail."

Fans and their clubs would regain 100 per cent ownership of the game for the first time since News Limited and the ARL formed the NRL in 1997 according to the four page proposal, leaked by News Limited this week.

But QRL managing director Ross Livermore said: "Under the proposal published in News Limited papers, ownership vests in the 16 NRL clubs, a number of which are privately owned.

"The QRL members firmly believe the game should be representative of all stakeholders and have suggested that the NSWRL, QRL and NRL clubs comprise the membership.

"Rugby League is a lot more than just 16 NRL clubs.

"They wouldn't be there without grassroots, just as the grassroots benefit from the NRL."

Livermore said the QRL wanted to make sure all levels of the code were looked after when the ARL and News Limited handed over control.

He did not know why critics claimed they were baulking on a commission's creation in order to hold on to State of Origin revenue.

"The QRL members would also like to clarify the continued perception that it is against the proposal because of revenue it generates from it conducting State of Origin matches in Queensland," Livermore said.

"Revenue obtained from these matches is paid into the NRL Partnership.

"This would continue to be done under an independent body/commission."

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