UPDATE: Major rallies are set to ignite in Hobart as supporters and opponents of Tasmania’s proposed $1.13 billion stadium mobilize ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote. The decision, which could significantly impact the state’s financial future, is scheduled for the lower house in early November and the upper house in December.
The proposed stadium at Macquarie Point is a pivotal component for Tasmania’s entry into the AFL and AFLW leagues by 2028. While the project enjoys backing from the governing Liberals and the Labor opposition, public sentiment appears to lean against it, with recent polls indicating widespread discontent.
On November 23, the anti-stadium group Our Place – Hobart will host a major rally to voice community concerns over the stadium’s financial implications. Spokesman Roland Browne stated, “It’s going to be a major rally and give voice to the anger in the community, about how the stadium is going to tip the state’s finances to a more disastrous trajectory.”
Despite expectations that the stadium will pass through the lower house with bipartisan support, several critical upper house independents remain undecided. Browne hopes that the interim budget for 2025/26 will sway these votes, adding, “We’re expecting those critical upper house members to be asking ‘how can we afford this?'”
A week later, on November 30, supporters of the stadium will rally, urging the public to turn out in force via the “Yes AFL team, Yes stadium” Facebook page. Previous pro-stadium events have drawn thousands and emphasized support from what organizers call the “silent majority.”
Critics argue that Tasmania’s escalating debt, projected to hit $13 billion by 2027/28, makes the stadium an irresponsible investment. Acclaimed author and anti-stadium advocate Richard Flanagan stated, “Donald Trump has been criticized at the moment for building a $300 million ballroom. This stadium is already four times the cost of that and the taxpayer is paying for it.”
The AFL and state government maintain that the stadium deal is non-negotiable, despite a report by the state’s independent planning commission earlier this year concluding that the project’s costs exceed its benefits. The government has dismissed these findings as mere opinions, claiming that many positives are intangible.
As tensions rise, stakeholders are bracing for a heated debate that could define Tasmania’s economic landscape for years to come. With critical votes looming, the outcome of these rallies and parliamentary discussions will likely shape the future of Hobart and its sporting ambitions.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
