The AFL says the state will have to pay for the “vast majority” of a new sports stadium.
An independent federal MP says he will not support taxpayers’ money going to a new stadium in Hobart when the state’s basic services are in crisis.
Tasmania
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INDEPENDENT Clark MP Andrew Wilkie says he will not support taxpayers’ money going to a new stadium in Hobart when the state’s basic services are in crisis.
The AFL says if Tasmania wants an AFL team the state will have to pay for the “vast majority” of a new Hobart sports stadium.
A stadium proposed for the waterfront has been estimated by the government to cost at least $750m – however documents obtained by Labor show the true cost is likely to be much higher.
Mr Wilkie said the AFL’s claim for public funds was outrageous.
“The prospect of any taxpayer money going anytime soon to building a footy stadium is downright offensive,” he said.
“Yes, I want a Tasmanian AFL team. And yes, I want Hobart to have great sporting facilities. But for that to take priority over pressing challenges like the health crisis, housing crisis and chronic traffic congestion is the work of politicians completely oblivious to the difficulties being experienced by many thousands of Tasmanians. These politicians have private health insurance, at least one house and probably love a day in a corporate box at the footy. But their priorities are completely out of whack.”
“Nor am I impressed by the AFL which is flush with cash and needs to start investing some of it in the state. We wouldn’t even be having this debate about taxpayer funds if the AFL saw sense and grew the game in a worthy and sensible way with the addition of a Tasmanian team.”
The state government has offered the AFL $10m a season for $10 years on top of $50m for a high performance centre — believed to be the best ever offer proposed for an expansion side in Australian sporting history.
AFL demands spark outrage as politicians form united front
IF the AFL wanted to see a unified Tasmania, it got it – with politicians of all persuasions joining together to hit back at the league’s demands the state pay for the “vast majority” of a new Hobart stadium or no licence.
The stadium and its rough estimate of a $750m bill has become the key issue ahead of a final decision on the state’s entry next month.
The AFL’s “stadium or bust” declaration comes despite its own Carter review not stating a new stadium was required, only for a “stadium strategy” needed by the government.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor continued to back the $150m 10-year offer on the table but said the league continued to treat Tasmania like dirt.
“There should be a very robust conversation between the Premier (Jeremy Rockliff) and the AFL and the Premier should make it clear to this group of people who keep moving the goalposts that Tasmania’s offer is final,” Ms O’Connor said.
“It is a generous offer and we deserve to be part of the AFL and the business case stakes up.
“I can’t believe the way the AFL treats this state time and time again.”
Mr Rockliff repeated his offer of 50 per cent funding for the stadium.
The AFL has reportedly pointed to Perth’s $1.8b Optus Stadium entirely paid for by the country’s wealthiest state, WA.
However, a far more accurate comparison would be Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The 25,000-seat stadium, the home of NRL club the North Queensland Cowboys, has revitalised the city centre and provided a funding blueprint for a potential Hobart stadium.
Concept plans were first proposed in 2011 but the venue finally received funding in 2015, with $100m coming from both the federal and state governments, and construction starting two years later.
What Tasmania has to commit to the AFL in terms of a stadium ahead of next month’s vote remains a mystery with so little time and so much work required on location, design, costings and funding to start with.
Mr Rockliff said while the government supported a stadium in the future, a decision on the licence should not be dependent on it.
“When it comes to stadiums, when it comes to opportunities around arts, entertainment and cultural precincts incorporating a stadium we’ll make those calls as the state government, not the AFL,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The stadium was not part of the bid that we put forward to the AFL.
“We’ve got $150m on the table and that is significant.
“Now while that will of course return significant returns for Tasmania in terms of economic growth, we deserve our own AFL team in Tasmania.
“We’ve made that very clear but also we point to the fact that we have a very strong offer on the table. Tasmania will forge our own path, we will work with the AFL but we will not and never will be dictated to by the AFL.”
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