Tasmania AFL team announcement must follow stadium funds: Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson

The Tasmanian government is urging the AFL to immediately approve a new team if the federal government funds a $715m stadium in Hobart’s Macquarie Point.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson at Macquarie Point. Picture Chris Kidd

THE AFL must immediately approve a Tasmanian team if the Federal Treasurer announces funding towards a stadium in Hobart in the May budget, Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson says.

The state government is seeking a contribution from the federal government towards the estimated $715m cost of a stadium at Macquarie Point.

Mr Ferguson said the state had met every condition put on it by the AFL and the team announcement should follow if funding is announced.

“I’d expected it straight after,” he said.

“If the Australian government will do what we’ve been badgering them to do. which is to help do the heavy lifting on major sporting, arts, and entertainment infrastructure in Tasmania, the AFL should follow the next day.”

Mr Ferguson said he was hopeful that the federal government would include an announcement on funding towards the stadium in the budget.

The Greens at the weekend withdrew their support for the Tasmanian AFL team because it was now contingent on the stadium being built.

But the state government has stuck to its plans to redevelop Macquarie Point as a “sporting, entertainment and cultural” precinct.

“We hope the Australian Government will be the next critical step which is on May 8, on the night of the federal budget, we hope to see investment in Tasmania infrastructure,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We are certainly very optimistic about it. we hope that the Australian government will do the right thing by Tasmania and treat us equally as it has with other states there’s been major investment into supporting infrastructure, in other states.

“I think that that’s the absolute critical step for us to get our team, is to see the Australian Government do its bit as we’ve been indicating we’re prepared to do on the state’s part for a major investment to help carry the heavy lifting for our state so that we can get ultimately not just a team. but also innovative new facilities that allow not just sporting, arts and major concerts, entertainment and conferencing at Macquarie Point.’

A group of high-profile Tasmanians last unveiled their alternative vision for Macquarie Point, the latest in a series of proposals for the near-waterfront site over the last 15 years.

Originally published as Tasmania AFL team announcement must follow stadium funds: Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson