Greens leader Cassy O’Connor calls on Tasmanian government to scrap Hawthorn sponsorship deal

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor has made a stunning call on the state government’s sponsorship deal with the Hawthorn Football Club in the wake of shock racism allegations.

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor has urged the state government to scrap its sponsorship deal with the Hawthorn Football Club in the wake of shocking racism allegations that have rocked the football world.

In a speech to the Greens’ annual state conference at Triabunna on Saturday, Ms O’Connor said negotiations over renewing the multimillion-dollar deal should be suspended.

The government’s arrangement with the club, believed to be worth about $4m a year, has been in place for the past 16 years and is up for review. It sees Hawthorn play four games a year at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor delivers a speech at the party's annual state conference at Triabunna. Picture: Supplied

“Tasmanians are entitled to ask: did their taxpayer dollars – in a sponsorship deal the Greens never supported – fund [a football club involved with] racism, family separation and abortion?” Ms O’Connor said.

“Have we paid our people’s money into a sport which has a dark side which is only now starting to be exposed?

“Whether or not Tasmania is successful in securing our own AFL men’s and women’s teams, what future do we have with Hawthorn after so many Aboriginal voices spoke up about their alleged treatment by the club?”

The AFL is conducting its own review of the historical allegations about the club’s treatment of First Nations players, following an external review commissioned by Hawthorn itself.

The economic return of Tasmania’s sponsorship deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne has been valued at about $40m.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff speaks to the media at Regatta Point in Hobart on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

“The sponsorship was always a bad idea, and now there’s an even stronger argument for the Premier to just pull the pin, tell Hawthorn it’s over, and to take the word Tasmania off the players’ jerseys,” Ms O’Connor said.

“At the very least, Jeremy Rockliff should immediately suspend negotiations on the sponsorship deal until the AFL’s internal review is done and the outcomes made public.”

A government spokesman said the claims made about Hawthorn were “obviously disturbing and distressing”.

“The AFL has announced an independent review of these matters, which we support, as it is important that this is explored fully,” the spokesman said.

“We won’t be engaging in hypotheticals, we will allow this process to take its course.”

At the annual North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast on Saturday, AFL chairman Richard Goyder addressed the racism allegations made by former players, saying there was “immense courage in telling your story and sharing your experience”.

“The AFL Commission acknowledges your hurt and our commitment is to provide whatever care we can while ensuring the work of the panel appointed to investigate provides the most just outcome for all parties concerned,” he said.

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Originally published as Greens leader Cassy O’Connor calls on Tasmanian government to scrap Hawthorn sponsorship deal