Elwick MLC Bec Thomas says the answers to these questions will determine her vote on Mac1 stadium legislation

A politician who holds a major key to the future of the Macquarie Point Stadium wants to see a Tassie AFL team, but needs these five questions answered before she votes yes.

Renders of Macquarie Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

A politician key to giving Macquarie Point Stadium the green light in its passage through the Upper House next month has revealed key questions she needs answered before voting in favour of the multi-purpose venue.

Elwick MLC Bec Thomas has been given numerous private briefings on the 23,000-seat roofed stadium, with the state government requiring at least two independents to back the project in the Legislative Council.

But Ms Thomas will not disclose her stance one way or the other until she has the draft legislation in her hands.

“There will be significant implications, whichever way the vote goes, for future generations,” she said.

“Like many Tasmanians I want to see us have an AFL team.

“It’s long overdue and it’s a crying shame that the issue of a stadium has divided our community on a matter that we should be celebrating.

“This is a decision that is to be made, not just on feeling, but also on fact.

“I will weigh up the information provided to make sure that in providing our kids of the future with the dream on an AFL team, and perhaps the opportunity to play AFL football, we are not sending them broke to be able to do that.”

Ms Thomas has been briefed on Mac1 Stadium by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Macquarie Point Development Corporation and Stadiums Tasmania.

“Some of my questions have been answered and others remain to be answered,” she said.

“It will come down to having that Draft Bill before us before I will be able to make an informed decision.”

Ms Thomas’ key questions include:

1 – What advice has the legislation been “informed by”?

2 – What are the conditions of the development permit?

3 – What is the governance structure for signing off on those conditions?

4 - What is the operating model for the stadium?

5 - Is it going to be financially viable as a business proposition?

The state government will bypass normal planning processes for the stadium project, drafting bespoke legislation to fast-track the development.

“I will not be making a decision on where I stand with the stadium until I feel fully informed,” Ms Thomas said.

“I am continuing to read reports, talk to stakeholders and to hear from my community on the stadium.

“I will consider all of the information presented before I make a decision on where I stand with that.

“At this point in time we don’t even have a bill before us so I don’t know exactly what I’m voting on.”

Originally published as Elwick MLC Bec Thomas says the answers to these questions will determine her vote on Mac1 stadium legislation