State Opposition Leader Dean Winter has revealed which Macquarie Point Stadium proposal Labor will support
Opposition Leader Dean Winter has opened up on his preference between the government’s $945m Macquarie Point Stadium and the radical Macquarie Point 2.0 alternative. Here’s what he said.
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A multi-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point is a must-have for Tasmania and Opposition Leader Dean Winter says Labor is all in on the government’s plan to build Mac1 which could be the best thing since MONA.
Mr Winter raised eyebrows on Saturday when he refused to rule out support for the private enterprise stadium alternative, Macquarie Point 2.0, proposed for Regatta Point.
He later confirmed his position to the Sunday Tasmanian.
“We are fully supportive of a stadium to get the AFL team,” Mr Winter said.
“It is one of the most exciting things that has happened to Tasmania since MONA _ it will completely change the state.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Tasmania to get a team, that is why we have been supporting the Premier’s [stadium] project so hard.”
The Macquarie Point 2.0 project has been proposed by Melbourne-based Tasmanian engineer Dean Coleman’s Stadia Precinct Consortia, which includes former Premier Paul Lennon in his role in stakeholder relations.
A 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point came as part of the deal to secure the AFL’s 19th licence.
The newly-formed Tasmania Devils, who have an AFL record 210,000 paid up members, would play at the Macquarie Point venue, which would also be able to host cricket, international rugby, soccer as well as entertainment events such as concerts, the latter with a capacity of 40,000 people both seated and standing.
Supporting the government’s $945m stadium did not come without political blowback.
“We have been heavily criticised for supporting it but we have got to deliver a stadium,” Mr Winter said.
To clarify his position on Labor’s support for Mac1 or Mac2, he said:
“We’ve had the same position for the past year when I announced that we support the Premier’s stadium.
“We have also said for the whole time the Premier should keep the second proposal on the table.
“That being said, we remain completely committed to supporting the legislation the government has brought.”
The government’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, did not believe Mr Winter’s support was restricted to Mac1.
“It is now confirmed that a dirty deal has been stitched up between Dean Winter and Paul Lennon to pursue an alternative stadium that can never be realised,” Mr Abetz said.
“Mr Winter has admitted that he has been having conversations with Mr Lennon’s consortium to revive his unbelievable and unbuildable project.”
Originally published as State Opposition Leader Dean Winter has revealed which Macquarie Point Stadium proposal Labor will support
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