Labor’s rectangular stadium pledege a ‘game-changer’ in push for Tasmanian A-League team
The lack of a purpose-built rectangular stadium has long been a hurdle in the quest for a Tasmanian A-League team, but that will change if Labor wins next week’s election. DETAILS >>
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FOR the first time, Tasmania has a promise for a rectangular stadium to host domestic and international football, rugby union and rugby league.
Opposition sports spokesman David O’Byrne made the pledge with Labor becoming the first party to back and fund the building of a rectangular stadium.
The stadium will be built in Hobart for a capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 fans and capable of hosting concerts as well.
If elected, Mr O’Byrne said Labor would about $1 million for a task force to find the ideal location, ownership structure, size and exact cost of a rectangular stadium.
“We will know when the report comes back then we’ll have a finite figure,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“But it is not a small figure, we know it is in the tens of millions but again it is dependent on location, funding model and what other funding sources we can achieve.”
Mr O’Byrne said it would be a game-changer in the state’s quest to land an A-League licence, as well as hosting high-level rugby and rugby league games.
“When Tasmania lost out on hosting (FIFA) women’s World Cup games it send shockwaves through the whole state,” he said.
“Enough was enough, we deserve to have a stadium, we deserve to host not only these national games, but these international games as well.
“This is a ticket towards getting an A-League team and getting more content in Tasmania for rugby union, rugby league and other sports we can host on rectangular stadiums.”
Football Australia chairman Chris Nikou welcomed the move and said it would definitely contribute to the state’s push for an A-League team.
“FA ultimately ticks that off but certainly a rectangular stadium is, I think, a significant step in doing that,” Mr Nikou said.
Rugby Tasmania president Ebony Altimira said it would also be hugely beneficial to her sport.
“Rugby Australia in a bid for the 2027 World Cup so this would make it a strong point for Tasmania to get some of those games and actually base some of the international teams in Tasmania as well,” Ms Altimira said.
“Football in Tasmania has been desperately crying out for an appropriate facility,” he said.
Mr O’Byrne said the Liberal Government had failed to address the issue during its tenure in charge.
“We are the only capital city and the only state in the country that doesn’t have an appropriate rectangle stadium to host games of football, of rugby and of rugby league,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“Tasmanian liberals have failed sport in Tasmania in terms of investing in a rectangular stadium and so we are the major party who are committing to this outcome.”
Labor unveils 10-year, multi-billion-dollar road plan
LABOR government would embark on a 10-year multi-billion-dollar plan to build roads, fix congestion and upgrade public transport.
It includes $160m in upgrades for the Southern Outlet and Macquarie and Davey streets, $120m for South Arm Highway and for Flagstaff Gully Road, and $80m for the Domain and Brooker highways.
Treasury spokesman David O’Byrne said the plan included major upgrades on some of Tasmania’s busiest roads to improve traffic flow and driver safety.
“Seven years of empty promises from the Liberal Party has left our roads crammed with cars and a public transport system that is failing,” he said.
“Local governments around Australia are delivering local infrastructure to create local jobs. But in Tasmania the Liberals can only announce infrastructure projects, not deliver them. They have had seven years in power, if they haven’t delivered on their promises by now why would you trust them to deliver them in the next four years?”
The statewide plan will be unveiled by Labor on Thursday. Some of the proposed projects will depend on federal government assistance. Labor will back the Northern Suburbs Light Rail, boost existing public transport and spend $15m on cycleway upgrades.
Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said the plan would aim to solve the issues causing headaches for commuters across the region.
“We will establish 10-year improvement plans for the Midland, Tasman, Bass, Channel, Arthur, Huon and West Tamar highways,” he said.
“And we will also investigate the provision of shared working space in the regions for public sector workers that live in those communities to reduce the pressure in the short term.”
Labor transport spokeswoman Anita Dow said changes to bus services and Liberal cuts to infrastructure had left Tasmanians out in the cold.
“Tasmanians are tired of sitting in traffic, tired of sitting waiting for a bus and tired of this do-nothing Liberal government,” Ms Dow said.
“The Liberals continue to fail when it comes to public transport infrastructure and the lack of flexible, integrated ticketing systems overcomplicates the public transport system.
“And our rural and regional communities deserve better public transport ensuring timely access to employment and essential services.
“Labor will create a Passenger Transport Taskforce that will consult with passenger and stakeholder representatives to deliver better commuter outcomes for all Tasmanians.
“Labor’s 10-year, $60m investment in passenger transport, complemented by our extensive roads package, offer commuters fast and efficient transport options across our cities and regions.”
The Civil Contractors Federation praised the policy.
CEO Rachael Matheson said: “Industry has been calling for a broad, 10-year plan for our roads ... and this announcement is welcome.”
$50m fund to upgrade ‘neglected’ schools
GLENN Maddock doesn’t care which political party finally funds the much-needed upgrades at Clarence High School — he just wants them delivered.
The school association president said the Clarence High toilets are ancient, the carpet has holes in it, window frames are rusty, disabled access is poor and classrooms don’t have enough power points.
He’s sent a wish list to the major parties in the hope that the school might also get a purpose-built performing arts centre and upgrades to the undersized gym.
“It’s a school of about 600. The teachers are brilliant, the students excel, but it could just be so much easier for them,” he said.
“Toilet facilities for staff and students at best are 1960s … there’s two power points in most of the classrooms — most bedrooms have more than two power points. We’re in the information age and power points are needed
“For five or six years we’ve been told we’re at the top of the priority list for major works.”
Labor leader Rebecca White, the party’s federal education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek and a gaggle of MPs and candidates stood outside the school to announce their $50m Neglected Schools Fund on Wednesday.
“Under the Liberals over the last seven years, instead of focusing on the priority infrastructure program, which identifies the schools that are most in need, they’ve ignored that and they’ve neglected a number of schools across our state who are desperate for upgrades that provide the best amenities for our children,” Ms White said.
Ms Plibersek said under-delivery was a Liberal trait.
“People have had a gutful of the broken promises of the Gutwein government when it comes to schools,” she said.
“Even when they do say they’re going to upgrade a school or build a new school, it’s delayed, it doesn’t happen — you would honestly think this government had taken a masterclass in bulls... artistry from Scott Morrison, because it’s all talk and no action.”
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff on Wednesday announced the Liberals would spend $7.1m “transforming” Montello Primary School in Burnie if re-elected.
It would include upgraded classrooms and renovated toilets.
Labor’s education spokesman Josh Willie said the government had had seven years to fix schools.
“There’s a lot of promises, but very little infrastructure being delivered,” he said.
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