Bass Liberal MP Bridget Archer ‘not at all’ comfortable with Hobart stadium push

An outspoken Liberal MP has expressed her view on the state government’s plan to build a new stadium in Hobart, as the race for a Tasmanian AFL team nears the finish line.

Bass Liberal MP Bridget Archer says she is “not at all” comfortable with the idea of Tasmanian taxpayers having to foot the bill for a new multi-purpose stadium in Hobart.

That’s despite the fact the state Liberal government has proposed to pay half the cost of a $750m stadium, which is considered a prerequisite for a Tasmanian AFL and AFLW team. The government hopes the AFL, Canberra and the private sector will contribute the rest of the funds.

Speaking to ABC Radio on Thursday, Mrs Archer – who has crossed the floor on multiple occasions in the federal parliament – said Tasmania should be investing in health over “AFL teams in Hobart”.

Bridget Archer MP. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

“I appreciate the arguments around why we should have a Tasmanian team,” she said. “And I’m not suggesting for a moment that that shouldn’t be the case.”

“But I certainly don’t think that the taxpayers of Tasmania should be picking up the tab for that when we’re having a crisis in health systems and housing situations at the same time.”

The AFL club presidents are expected to vote later this month on Tasmania’s bid to enter the national competition.

Asked whether he believed Mrs Archer’s comments could undermine the government’s hopes of securing federal funding assistance for a stadium, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he didn’t “believe so”.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Linda Higginson

“What Bridget clearly said was that health is a priority,” he said. “And I agree with Bridget – health is a priority, it’s Tasmania’s priority, and it always will be.”

The Premier said the government was investing $11.2b into the health system over the next four years, which equated to a third of its budget.

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