Jacqui Lambie, Rebecca White, Cassy O’Connor react to AFL stadium news

Reports the stadium deal would be given the green light has not gone down well with state Labor and Greens leaders, federal and independent senators — as the PM doubles down on his support.

State and federal leaders have their say on news the Macquarie Point AFL stadium is set to get the green light.

Redeveloping Macquarie Point with an AFL stadium, housing and recreational facilities will boost Tasmania’s economic activity and bring more events to the state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.

The Prime Minister doubled down his support for the project on Wednesday following reports the federal government is expected to announce a joint funding deal with the state government ahead of the Budget on May 9.

But reports the stadium deal was close did not sit well with state Labor and Greens leaders, federal Liberal and independent senators.

Mr Albanese said he had long supported developing Macquarie Point.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“Hobart is an extraordinarily beautiful city but at the moment, Mac Point sits there as an eyesore,” he said.

“It is completely under-utilised and what I have said is if we can use that site for recreational activity, for housing, for private sector investment, for urban redevelopment in order to improve economic activity in Tasmania in order to create jobs not just during construction but also in the longer term by having a centre that can bring jobs and events to Tasmania, then that would be a positive thing.”

Jaensch: ‘Tassie dream closer’

State Liberal Minister Roger Jaensch said he was thrilled the Tasmanian team was nearly a reality.

“We are very excited that the dream of having our own team is getting closer by the day.

“We haven’t seen any formal announcements or decisions just yet, that ball is still in the Prime Minister’s court.

“We’re very excited that it’s getting closer though and we look forward now to having confirmation we’ll have our own team, making it a truly national competition for AFL and women’s football as well but also to see the activation of Macquarie Point after so long lying dormant and being a driver for a new wave of economic development, employment and investment that will benefit the whole of Tasmania.”

White: ‘Pro-team, but no to stadium’

Opposition leader Rebecca White said her party remained staunchly opposed to building a new stadium for the AFL.

“We have two perfectly good stadiums and we’re very strong supporters of Tasmania getting an AFL licence both for the men’s and women’s team but it shouldn’t be contingent on taxpayers funding a billion-dollar stadium in Hobart,” she said.

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I would much prefer a Tasmanian government to be advocating for Tasmania to get funding to do with health, housing, fixing our education problems, dealing with cost of living.

“But instead, Jeremy Rockliff has gone to Canberra and asked for money for a stadium.

“There’s been no consultation with the Tasmanian community about building a billion-dollar stadium funded by taxpayers in Hobart.

“It didn’t go to the last state election, it won’t be something the Parliament gets to see and approve and the Tasmanian Liberal government has made it very clear that they’re going to push ahead with this.

“Tasmanians may never get a say on whether or not they agree with it, which is why I see our role as the Tasmanian Labour Party of voicing their concerns to be so important.”

O’Connor: ‘Something Tasmania doesn’t need’

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor — whose party walked away from its support from the team bid — said Labor needed to do more.

Greens deputy leader Rosalie Woodruff and leader Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Tasmanian Labor have real power here, but they haven’t used it yet to convince the PM not to fund the stadium,” she said.

“A tough stance from Rebecca White and her team could push their federal colleagues to save Tasmania from a stadium it can’t afford and doesn’t need.

“If you’re against the stadium, be against the stadium – there’s no room for hand-wringing.

“It’s not enough to have the bumper sticker on Labor cars – that won’t save Tasmania from half a billion dollars of debt and an edifice to greed and lost opportunity at Macquarie Point.”

Lambie: ‘Not a goddamn bloody stadium’

Senator Jacqui Lambie said the Tasmanian people should be consulted.

“Why doesn’t the premier just take it to the next election?” she said.

Senator Jacqui Lambie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Call an election early and see if he really wants to see what that means think about this stadium. How much debt does Tasmania want to put itself in?

“The only thing on the agenda of Rockliff at the moment is a stadium. Somebody might want to tell him to wake up and open his frigging eyes because there are a lot of other social issues going on in Tasmania right now.

“People want to know they can go to the hospital and be seen within 10 minutes, or get into the GP within a month. They want a roof over their heads.

“This is what Tasmania is talking about, not a goddamn bloody stadium.”

Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam was another asking why the stadium was on top of the government’s priority list.

“This raises numerous questions about whether the Labor Party regards the construction of an elite sporting complex as more deserving of funding and support than a host of other crucial matters in Tasmania – like increased health, education and defence funding, improved aged care expenditure, higher-quality NDIS services, and road and other infrastructure projects,” he said.

Originally published as Jacqui Lambie, Rebecca White, Cassy O’Connor react to AFL stadium news