Debate is set to commence regarding the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, a project intertwined with Tasmania’s aspiration to join the AFL and AFLW by 2028. This stadium, projected to cost $1.13 billion, is a key condition for the Tasmania Devils’ entry into the leagues. However, it has sparked division within the community and ignited political disputes over budget priorities as the state grapples with rising debt.
The proposal requires approval from both houses of parliament, with discussions beginning in the lower house on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Despite opposition from crossbench members, the governing minority Liberals and the Labor opposition support the stadium, providing a sufficient majority for its passage in the lower house. The upper house, however, presents a more challenging landscape, where a few undecided independent MPs will play a crucial role in the stadium’s fate.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the license contract with the AFL, emphasized the significance of the stadium for Tasmania’s future. “By all means scrutinise, but make sure that we do not lose this opportunity. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to lose,” he stated during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.
The state’s planning commission has voiced concerns, recommending against the project, arguing that its costs outweigh the benefits and that it is not suitable for the waterfront heritage area. Critics argue that the funds could be better allocated to other pressing needs within the community.
In contrast, the government has positioned the stadium as a vital economic driver, asserting that its social benefits extend beyond quantifiable metrics. The AFL has remained firm in its stance, stating, “no stadium, no team,” indicating that negotiations on this matter are not an option.
Independent MPs Dean Harriss and Bec Thomas, whose votes are essential for the upper house decision anticipated in December, have expressed reservations regarding the project’s financial implications. They are among the voices raising questions about whether the state can afford such an investment.
Despite the ongoing political tension, the Tasmania Devils are actively preparing for their future in the leagues. The club has initiated training sessions for entry into the second-tier VFL in 2026. The government faces potential financial penalties if the stadium is not completed by the club’s second season in 2029, adding pressure to the approval timeline.
Rallies both opposing and supporting the stadium have been scheduled in the lead-up to the upper house vote, reflecting the divided sentiments within the community. As the debate unfolds, the outcome will shape the future of Tasmanian football and potentially the state’s economic landscape.
