Tasmania’s lower house has approved the Macquarie Point stadium after a lengthy debate, paving the way for a deciding vote in the upper house next month.<\/p>\n
The Liberal government, Labor opposition and two crossbenchers voted to approve an “order” for the stadium, which has a price tag of $1.13 billion.<\/p>\n
The debate follows years of public disagreements over the scope, cost and scale of the proposed stadium, which was written into the contract with the AFL for Tasmania.<\/p>\n
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The order has passed the lower house with 25 votes to 9. (Supplied: MPDC)<\/p>\n
The vote followed a Project of State Significance planning process<\/a> in which the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recommended against proceeding<\/a> with the stadium on a range of grounds.<\/p>\n The government had the option to ignore the recommendation<\/a>, instead proposing conditions on the stadium \u2014 which the TPC also did not recommend.<\/p>\n Government risks Hobart stadium deal ahead of crucial vote<\/a><\/p>\n While Tasmania’s MPs will pass the proposed AFL stadium through the lower house on Thursday, it’s become a much tougher task ahead to win over the parliament’s key upper house decision-makers.<\/p>\n Based on publicly stated positions, it is likely to require the support of one out of two undecided independents \u2014 Bec Thomas or Dean Harriss.<\/a><\/p>\n The 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point<\/a> is a condition in the licence for Tasmania to enter the AFL men’s and women’s competitions.<\/p>\n The Tasmanian government has promised $375 million in “capital” contribution, the Commonwealth with $240 million for the precinct and $15 million from the AFL, with the remainder coming from “borrowings”.<\/p>\n Franklin independent David O’Byrne and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Carlo Di Falco voted in support of the stadium.<\/p>\n Premier defends AFL deal<\/p>\n Speaking earlier in the debate, Premier Jeremy Rockliff told parliament that he “appreciates the advice” from the TPC, but believed the stadium should proceed.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We cannot let parochialism and politics get in the way of opportunity in this state,” he said.<\/p>\n Loading…<\/p>\n Mr Rockliff signed the deal with then-AFL head Gillon McLachlan in 2023<\/a>, which locked in the requirement of the roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.<\/p>\n In his speech, he defended the deal.<\/p>\n “There’s been criticism of the deal that we signed. Was it the most perfect deal of the century? Some would say ‘yes’, others would say ‘no,'” Mr Rockliff said.<\/p>\n “It got us an agreement to get our own Tasmanian Devils team, of which we have been fighting for, for decades and decades.<\/p>\n “And a foot in the door when the AFL \u2026 kept shutting the door on Tasmania: ‘no, no, no, no’. When we signed the agreement, they said, ‘yes’.”<\/p>\n ‘Extraordinary opportunity’: Labor leader<\/p>\n Labor leader Josh Willie told parliament that the government’s handling of the stadium process was “abysmal”, arguing that it had added to the divisiveness in the community.<\/p>\n Hobart’s planned AFL stadium ‘too big’, report finds<\/a><\/p>\n The proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium in Hobart should not proceed, a long-awaited assessment recommends.<\/p>\n “I understand why so many in the community are sceptical about the process and angry about the process. We share your concerns about the process,” he said.<\/p>\n “But we also see the extraordinary opportunity that this project presents, the chance to progress a once-in-a-generation project, opening new opportunities across so many sectors in our state.<\/p>\n “We understand that this project is critical in securing the AFL and AFLW licence our state has dreamt about and fought for, for decades.”Loading…<\/p>\n Parliament earlier agreed to scrutinise the stadium by using a parliamentary committee, which Mr Willie said was adequate oversight, despite him “not trusting” the government on infrastructure delivery.<\/p>\n A contingent of crossbench MPs met with Tom Harley from the AFL last month<\/a>, arguing that the stadium requirement is onerous and unfair on Tasmania’s finances.<\/p>\n Mr Willie said the AFL Commission \u2014 and the 18 AFL clubs \u2014 would withdraw Tasmania’s licence, draft picks and $360 million in funding over 10 years if the stadium was rejected.<\/p>\n Mr Willie was the only member from his party<\/a> to speak.<\/p>\n Stadium build quashes alternative proposals: Woodruff<\/p>\n Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff spoke of the criticisms of the stadium highlighted by the scathing TPC report, including its estimate of $50 million in additional taxes per year for 30 years to fund the capital costs and borrowing.<\/p>\n Loading…<\/p>\n She said alternative proposals for Macquarie Point would be lost.<\/p>\n “We could have had an internationally significant urban renewal project there already, including 1,000 houses with homes for 2,000 to 3,000 people,” Ms Woodruff said.<\/p>\n “A nationally significant truth and reconciliation park. A new state library. A tidal swimming pool. A light rail transit hub and so much more.<\/p>\n Key independent MPs express concern over Hobart stadium<\/a><\/p>\n Two independent MLCs whose votes are crucial for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium have outlined their concerns about the project in budget reply speeches to parliament.<\/p>\n “The Greens support the $240 million in federal funding, of course we do, and it should be used as intended, not for a stadium, but on housing as part of the alternative vision that’s been proposed.”<\/p>\n The TPC was also critical of the government’s engagement with the Aboriginal community over the plans \u2014 which have seen reconciliation aspects reduced in size on multiple occasions \u2014 along with its impact on the Hobart cenotaph.<\/p>\n RSL Tasmania president Mike Gallagher wrote to upper house members on Wednesday, reiterating its opposition to the stadium at Macquarie Point.<\/p>\n “Once its setting and reverence are lost, they cannot be restored. This is not a question of political ideology but one of cultural and moral responsibility,” the letter reads.<\/p>\n “RSL Tasmania urges you to exercise your independence in full, to consider not only the present debate but the legacy your decision will leave for future generations.”<\/p>\n O’Byrne slams ‘wilful ignorance’ of detractors<\/p>\n Franklin independent David O’Byrne \u2014 a former Labor leader \u2014 has long supported the Macquarie Point stadium and was highly critical of the organised opposition to the stadium.<\/p>\n Loading…<\/p>\n “Those that are most vigorous in their opposition to this proposal are blind to their indifference and to the hopes and dreams of others,” he told parliament.<\/p>\n “This wilful ignorance consumes them. At its heart, it’s selfishness.<\/p>\n “Where they prosecute their brand of radical conservatism, they are cruel and offensive in their discourse. In my view, they are bullies and bullies of the worst kind.”<\/p>\n He also claimed that “leaders of the anti-stadium brigade” had not worked in disadvantaged communities, while he said he has.<\/p>\n Premier ‘blinded by desire’, Johnston says<\/p>\n Clark independent Kristie Johnston, who has long opposed the stadium, said it was a consequence of multiple premiers being too keen to deliver an AFL team.<\/p>\n Before and after: See what effect proposed AFL stadium has on Hobart cityscape<\/a><\/p>\n Take a look at how the $775 million multipurpose stadium is expected to look once complete.<\/p>\n “The premier \u2014 blinded by his desire to be the one to secure a team \u2014 threw out proper due diligence, proper planning and budgeting processes, even forgot to consult with his own colleagues,” she said.<\/p>\n “It was so on the nose to some members of his own party that they left and joined the crossbench, plunging his government into crisis.<\/p>\n “This government is prioritising corporate interests, the AFL and private businesses, including gambling interests, over ordinary Tasmanians.”<\/p>\n Ms Johnston said Labor had the power to vote the stadium down, but described the party as “drunk on the vibe of the team”.<\/p>\n MP ‘backflips’ on position<\/p>\n Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Carlo Di Falco said he would vote in support of the project, despite having been elected four months ago on an anti-stadium platform<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said he had been swayed by conversations with his constituents, despite still holding some concerns.<\/p>\n “Some people may say I’ve backflipped,” Mr Di Falco told the parliament.<\/p>\n “If you’re not allowed to change your position, after critically weighing up options, then I’m not sure what the point of being here is.”<\/p>\n