Ferguson slams Federal Group’s reasoning behind Mac Point stadium stance

Isn’t it ‘ironic’: Liberal MP Michael Ferguson serves a spray at the Federal Group over its stance over Mac Point stadium. HERE’S WHY.

Macquarie Point multipurpose stadium aerial view. Picture: Mac Point Development Corporation

Former Tasmanian treasurer Michael Ferguson has taken a swipe at the Federal Group for raising concerns about the government fast-tracking the Macquarie Point stadium.

In a post on Facebook on Saturday he urges Federal to back the government’s “nation-leading poker machine reforms”.

“Ironic, isn’t it?” he wrote.

“Federal Group is now talking about respecting existing laws and processes when it comes to the proposed stadium vote in Parliament.

“I’m glad the company is raising issues of due process and fairness — even if its motives are unclear.

“But if Federal is serious about the public interest, it should stop undermining the government’s nation-leading poker machine reforms.”

Michael Ferguson Liberal member for Bass. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Federal’s executive general manager, corporate and regulatory affairs, Dr Daniel Hanna raised concerns after it commissioned EMRS polling which showed 50 per cent of respondents opposed the government withdrawing from the Project of State Significance process while 24 per cent supported the move.

He said the polling demonstrated that Tasmanians had concerns about the stadium’s “uncertain but significant costs”.

“The proposed stadium is already a very divisive project, abandoning the Tasmanian Planning Commission process in favour of fast-track legislation will make that division even worse,” Dr Hanna said.

Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Ferguson, who declined to comment further on his social media post, was confident the Liberal’s poker machine reform policy would be implemented.

He said the reforms were simple with players choosing their loss limits in advance with “power into the hands of the player — for the first time”.

“Despite delays caused by industry pushback, our policy remains.

“The reform will be implemented. The only question is when.

“Other states are moving ahead. Tasmania was first to announce it, but we’ve lost our lead — for now.

“Still, I’m confident we’ll get there. And when we do, I’ll be proud to have continually stood with strength and grace against the powerful vested interests to deliver reform that protects a person’s right to gamble, but will stop them losing everything.

“One day, even those who profit from legalised misery will come around to this: due process.”

Federal Group declined to comment on Mr Ferguson’s comments.

Originally published as Ferguson slams Federal Group’s reasoning behind Mac Point stadium stance