A business delegation has visited Canberra to make the case for a Hobart stadium

A Tasmanian business delegation has visited Canberra to convince the federal government to fund a Hobart stadium, as Andrew Wilkie continued to lobby against the project. LATEST >

Artist’s impression of the proposed Hobart stadium at Macquarie Point. Images supplied by AFL

A Tasmanian business delegation has visited Canberra to convince the federal government to fund a Hobart stadium, as Andrew Wilkie continued to lobby against the project in federal parliament.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin led the group of industry leaders from the tourism, building, property and hospitality sectors, spending Wednesday meeting with senior cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister’s office.

“The purpose of the delegation is to make sure the federal government understands the level of support for the stadium from the business community, the role a stadium would play in underpinning the future of key industries in the state and that the stadium is a worthwhile project that would underpin a significant urban renewal opportunity for the area,” Mr Martin said.

“There’s a lot of negative voices around this project. We just wanted to balance that out.”

Mr Martin said that the industries taking part in the delegation employed over 60,000 Tasmanians.

Luke Martin during a TICT luncheon to discuss the stadium in Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

Also on Wednesday, Independent Clark MHR Andrew Wilkie continued to urge the Albanese Government not to support the project.

During question time in the House of Representatives Mr Wilkie asked the Prime Minister to rule out providing the $240m requested by the Tasmanian Government.

“Frankly the community remains overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal, and rightfully insists that more federal funding go to the things that really matter. Prime Minister, in light of all this, will you rule out funding for this ridiculous idea?” Mr Wilkie said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese wouldn’t be drawn on whether he supported a stadium, saying the state government’s funding request was being considered as part of the budget process.

“I want to make sure we move beyond a debate about a stadium or a non-stadium, I want to move towards making sure we get appropriate residential, recreational, commercial activity at that site. Ultimately we want to ensure whatever happens at Macquarie Point provides maximum benefit for the people of Tasmania and that’s what we’ve been working towards,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Martin lashed Mr Wilkie’s stance on the stadium.

“It’s pretty bizarre. I think the rest of the country is bemused that a local member would come to Canberra and argue against federal money for his electorate,” Mr Martin said.

In state parliament Premier Jeremy Rockliff said MPs lobbying against the $715m project were “anti-Tasmanian”.

“Frankly that is anti-Tasmanian, it’s un-Tasmanian … advocating to Canberra for money not to come to Tasmania to secure an AFL licence and thousands of jobs of hardworking Tasmanians,” Mr Rockliff said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor – who was ejected during the exchange – described Mr Rockliff’s contribution as an “uncontrolled rant”.