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<\/p>\n\u201cAll the public focus has been on who will back the stadium. For me, the question has been under what conditions could it possibly earn support. That\u2019s why my support for the project is strictly conditional on economic, governance, design and community safeguards that seek to protect the welfare of Tasmanians.\u201d<\/p>\n
In confirming his support for the stadium, Harriss said: \u201cA vote against the order is likely to result in a withdrawal of the Devils licence and the end of the AFL dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been plenty of analogies bandied around but I can\u2019t help thinking the one most appropriate was President Kennedy\u2019s 1961 announcement that America would put man on the moon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see the Tasmania Devils as our moon walk and the stadium, warts and all, as the way to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harriss last month questioned whether the state could afford the stadium after the treasury department estimated the state\u2019s overall debt will top $13 billion by 2028.<\/p>\n
Rattray, in her speech in parliament on Wednesday, said the stadium was about \u201ccreating a legacy that future generations would thank us for\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Tasmanian independent Bec Thomas outside parliament in Hobart.Credit: AAP<\/p>\n
Hiscutt said his endorsement went beyond \u201cthe fear of the unknown and the unease of change\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hear a lot of people saying we have earned a team or we deserve a team \u2014 and those statements are true,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the AFL is a business, and it does not work on words like \u2018earned\u2019 or \u2018deserved\u2019, it works on words like \u2018long-term sustainability\u2019 and \u2018profitability\u2019.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt has determined that the deal struck between the AFL and the Premier satisfies their needs in this regard. But to use emotion to dictate that this will be renegotiated is farcical at best and duplicity at worst.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow independent Ruth Forrest maintained her opposition to the stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot support a project that fails basic planning tests, violates the government\u2019s own investment criteria and will drain economic activity through debt servicing while generating uncertain returns,\u201d Forrest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am firmly of the view the AFL would not walk away, and we should not be basing a \u2018yes\u2019 vote on the fear they will. I will never bow to the pressure of an external party, especially one which always acts in its own interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Greens\u2019 Cassy O\u2019Connor also rejected the plan, and ditched her pre-planned speech after realising the stadium had won the required support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know now how the vote will almost certainly go. So laying out all the evidence \u2014 the irrefutable, independent, expert evidence \u2014 for why this order should be resoundingly rejected seems moot now,\u201d O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n
Labor will deliver at least two votes in favour of the project and, most likely, three, given there now appears to be no deadlock. Craig Farrell is president of the upper house and, in cases where a vote is tied, the president traditionally votes in the negative.<\/p>\n
The federal government has committed $240 million to the stadium and the AFL $15 million, while the state must borrow the remainder, adding to fears the financially crippled state will be buried in debt. <\/p>\n
Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the AFL contract, conceded this week he was nervous about the vote.<\/p>\n
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Need a new stadium: AFL chief Andrew Dillon launched the Tasmania Devils in March 2024.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
The AFL has maintained it will only award a 19th licence should the stadium be approved. If approved, the Devils will split their home games in their maiden season between the current stadiums in Hobart and Launceston while the new venue is built.<\/p>\n
Thomas, a former mayor, said she had secured the government\u2019s commitment to safeguards including a fixed cost cap on the state\u2019s contribution of $875 million, an independent watchdog \u2013 as part of the project governance and oversight \u2013 and restoring participation funding at grassroots levels.<\/p>\n
Thomas also wants the government to increase the funding pool for community sport infrastructure to $105 million over four years, and adopt a sport infrastructure plan and framework for government investment in sport.<\/p>\n
The new club has yet to appoint a men\u2019s senior coach, but Collingwood great Nathan Buckley \u2013 one of the favourites \u2013 said this week he would keep a close eye on the vote.<\/p>\n