Tasmania’s post-election shenanigans has left the Devils AFL club unclear on its future, Senator Duniam says

Tasmania’s post-election Game of Thrones has cast more doubt over the future of Macquarie Point Stadium and the AFL Devils. What the key players said.

Macquarie Point Stadium concept design. Picture: MPDC

Macquarie Point Stadium would be dead in the water if Labor gets into bed with the Greens, warned a prominent Federal politician, while the Tasmania Devils say they will work with whoever governs to keep the team dream alive.

Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam believes the stadium cannot become a reality under a Labor-Green alliance.

The AFL’s mantra “No Stadium, No Team” also puts a black cloud over the future of the Devils AFL teams, with its men and women teams scheduled to join the big time in 2028.

“If it is a Labor-Green minority government, with cross bench support, there’s a price to pay,” Senator Duniam said.

“They will say ‘you’re not building your stadium’ and it definitely won’t be built.”

Renders of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium. Supplied

The Tasmanian election served up another hung parliament with the Liberals expecting to continue in minority government with support from the cross bench.

On the other side of the House, Labor, which had its lowest primary vote at a state election since 1903, wants to form government in cahoots with the Greens and Independents.

The count so far showed Liberals polled 40 per cent of first-preference votes, Labor 26 per cent, the Greens 14 per cent and independents 15 per cent.

Labor leader Dean Winter confirmed he was exploring ways for his party to govern but not at the expense of Labor policies.

That includes support for the multi-purpose 23,000-seat roofed stadium on Hobart’s waterfront.

“We haven’t changed our position on the stadium and we won’t be offering that as part of any negotiations,” Mr Winter said.

“We are not going to be horse trading on policy.

“Tasmanians want to see an AFL team.

“It’s something we have worked on for generations – for decades now we’ve wanted one.

“We all understand what that means.

“So we want to deliver the team and we understand a stadium is a part of that.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff was steadfast in his support for the Devils and a stadium.

“The vote said two-thirds of Tasmanians voted for pro-Tassie Devils and pro-stadium candidates and that is resounding,” he said.

“We need to get on with the job and I am very confident it [Mac Point Stadium] will happen.”

Fans prior to the Tasmanian State games at North Hobart Oval on Saturday 19th July 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

A day after thousands of pro-stadium footy fans held rallies at the Hawthorn-Port Adelaide AFL game in Launceston, and at Tasmania’s representative women’s and men’s games against a combined Sydney-Canberra team at North Hobart Oval, the post-election Game of Thrones leaves the Devils no clearer on their future.

“Tasmania Football Club stands ready to work with the incoming Tasmanian Government and elected members once the election outcomes are resolved,” the TFC said in a statement.

“We are focused on entering the AFL and AFLW by 2028, in order to do that we have several timeframes that must be met.

“We are very eager to work with the Government to realise these.

“In the meantime, we will stay focused on building our Club, we have no time to lose.

“We are very thankful for the ongoing support and encouragement of our Club, we cannot wait to bring these teams to reality – together.”

Regardless of what happens, Senator Duniam believes the Liberals and Labor could still join forces to get the stadium across the line.

“Labor and Liberal could come together, deal with this but off the table, and then move onto everything else,” he said.

“They could come together and work out a pathway forward and neutralise the issue.”

Originally published as Tasmania’s post-election shenanigans has left the Devils AFL club unclear on its future, Senator Duniam says