Premier says he’s sick of Tasmania’s ‘no’ industry
Tasmania’s industry of opposition to major projects has to end according to the Premier, despite members of his own party criticizing the AFL stadium spend.
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TASMANIA’S culture of opposition to major projects has to end, Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Speaking at Friday’s media conference about the state’s AFL team bid, Mr Rockliff said he was aware of the criticism of the Hobart waterfront stadium proposal.
Labor and the Greens have both voiced their opposition to a taxpayer-funded stadium —and a Liberals Senator has added his voice to the naysayers
“I recognise the opposition and I’m willing to go on that journey with the Tasmanian people and ensuring that I can sell that vision every single day,” Mr Rockliff said.
“But there are people that will always say ‘no’ to major projects and to change.
“There is an industry around saying ‘no’ in Tasmania. I don’t want any more of that. I’m sick of that.
“I just want to take this state forward. And this is a project and an opportunity that will do exactly that.”
“Tasmanians have unite around this enormous opportunity. It’s an economic opportunity, it’s a social opportunity, it is huge for Tasmania. It is a game changer.”
A meeting of around 300 people at Hobart Town Hall on Wednesday unanimously expressed their opposition to the project.
Labor spokesman Josh Willie said the AFL was treating Tasmanians with disrespect.
“We are now way past the original deadline for a decision on the licence, which was August this year,” he said.
“We don’t need a new stadium to be a part of the AFL and, frankly, it’s a case of the AFL dictating State Government policy and the allocation of precious taxpayers’ money to the Tasmanian Government and its people.
Mr Rockliff is also facing opposition from within his own party — Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam says the federal government should not be contributing any money at all to the $750m project.
“Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for a stadium to get an AFL team,” he said.
“Tasmania deserves a team, and I’m pleased that the AFL have finally made some progress in getting the State its own team.
“But, when taxpayers are facing higher electricity prices, more in mortgage repayments, increasing fuel and food costs, it is unfair to ask them to pay for this stadium.
“The AFL should give us the team, and find another way to pay for the stadium — not make taxpayers pay for it.”
Last piece of AFL puzzle for Tasmania revealed
The AFL and state government have announced in-principle agreement on a Tasmanian AFL team and league boss Gillon McLachlan says an announcement is close without putting a timeframe on it.
The finances of a team have been settled and the AFL is comfortable with the government’s financial commitment of $12m for 12 years to a 19th licence.
The only piece of the puzzle remaining are finances for the proposed $750m closed-roof stadium at Macquarie Point.
That site was 300m from where McLachlan addressed the Sohn Hearts and Minds Conference on Friday morning, opening his speech with how valuable an AFL team is to Tasmania and showing attendees a copy of the Mercury sporting McLachlan on the front page.
It was a massive opportunity for the AFL to attract private sector support for the MacPoint stadium.
“It has been a pleasure to be here today speaking about and pitching the 19th licence to a room full of investors,” McLachlan said.
McLachlan said Tasmanian’s dream team was “close”.
“This is a big decision for our game, a big decision for the code and a big decision for Tasmania.
“There is a hell of a lot of work going on and we are close.
“We are thrilled that we have reached an in-principle agreement with the government.
“Obviously this decision requires the support of our AFL clubs and we are having progressive discussions there.”
McLachlan’s language around a Tasmanian team indicated it would get the green light.
“We are looking to build a team that is competitive from the start, sustainable with a unique brand that unites Tasmanians.
“A lot of work has gone into all of that.
“The key piece of the discussion is the stadium.
“We will work hand-in-glove with this government on securing the funding and getting the stadium built.
Earlier: AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has told hundreds in the crowd of Hobart’s investment leaders conference that Hobart needs a stadium.
“We need a stadium. The biggest sport in the country and one of the biggest sports in the world needs a stadium,” he told the crowd.
“Our fans expect the best.”
McLachlan said Tasmania’s dream of our own team was “close, but we need a stadium. Tasmania deserves it Tasmanians we are very close but we need a stadium”.
Tassie Premier Jeremy Rockliff posted a photo holding up the Tassie team shirt, saying “I have some news to share with you all before it hits the press”.
“We have reached an in principal agreement on the key commercial terms to bring a Tasmanian team into the AFL,” Mr Rockliff said.
“In our colours, singing our song.
“Some more work still needs to be done, but make no mistake, we will get our stand-alone team and finally take our rightful place in the national league.
“Tasmania is on the move.”
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan makes surprise trip to Hobart
FOOTBALL supremo Gillon McLachlan will face a barrage of questions about Tasmania’s AFL licence and its stalled progress on his whirlwind visit to Hobart to meet with the Premier and speak at a conference on Friday.
The 18 AFL presidents are now all on-board team Tasmania as the state fights for a 19th licence, with the only element left standing in the way being state and federal negotiations over stadium funding.
Since the presidents first saw Tasmania’s pitch on September 19, when fierce opposition came from Gold Coast, Collingwood, Sydney and Hawthorn, the AFL executive has placated fears of another team creating another financial burden on the league purse.
One president told the Mercury it all came down to the $750m Macquarie Point stadium, of which the state government has committed to paying half.
That leaves the Federal Government, the private sector and the AFL — which says no stadium, no team — as the source of the other $375m.
“All of the presidents are now satisfied that Tasmania can hold its own in terms of financing the team, which was the main concern for a lot of clubs,” the president said.
“The feeling now is something of disbelief that anyone would be against having a new stadium for a new team and the government building something that would be an incredible boost for the entire state.”
McLachlan slipped into Hobart late on Thursday for dinner with organisers of the investment leaders conference he will address on Friday.
The AFL boss was adamant he was not in town for a shock announcement, just a speaking gig and catch-up with Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
“We’re going to be talking about where we are at, a bit of an update and a chance to talk about the progress that has been made,” McLachlan told WIN news.
“We’re not there, but we’ve come a long way.
“We’re trying to land the whole package together and the stadium is an important piece.
“We’ve got lots to do working with clubs and the state government and other parties around the venue, and all the other parts, and hopefully it all comes together as one.”
Mr Rockliff said the date with Gill was a welcome face-to-face meeting.
“I look forward to catching up with Gill McLachlan. Our quest for an AFL team has been years in the making and we are closer than ever before,” Mr Rockliff said.
“An AFL team will deliver not just benefits to young Tasmanian players across the state and AFL fans, but significant social and economic benefits.
“Likewise, the business case for a fit-for-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point will ensure the financial success of the team, deliver events on a scale never before possible in Tasmania, support jobs and economic growth, while unlocking transport corridors.”
The Premier also met with Hawthorn officials this week on the future of the Tassie Hawks, who have played games in Launceston since 2001.
“We have always been clear that once we have more certainty on the AFL’s position regarding a 19th licence we will be able to look at our partnership with Hawthorn. I’m hopeful that certainty can be provided soon,” he said.
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Originally published as Premier says he’s sick of Tasmania’s ‘no’ industry
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