Former Liberal powerbroker Eric Abetz backs an all-purpose stadium as ‘economic driver’
Eric Abetz, the former longstanding Tasmanian Liberal senator, has had a change of heart on the Macquarie Point stadium.
Eric Abetz, the former long-serving Liberal senator and powerbroker, says he was “dubious” about an AFL stadium but now backs the development at Macquarie Point.
His views put him at odds with most of his former federal Liberal colleagues including federal environment spokesperson Senator Jonathon Duniam.
Senator Richard Colbeck is the sole federal Liberal backing the stadium.
Mr Abetz, who lost his Senate seat last year after 28 years, said an all-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point would be a “huge economic driver for Tasmania”.
“I’m a stadium convert. Initially I was dubious especially when it was linked to the AFL,” he said.
“But the AFL are putting money in and federal Labor too and it will be an all-purpose stadium, not just an AFL stadium.”
Mr Abetz, who is still considering whether he will make a tilt at state politics, was unperturbed that his support was not shared by his former federal Liberal colleagues.
“I’m not part of that team anymore and I would not tell them what to think,” he said.
“This will be a huge economic driver for the state during construction attracting people to Tasmania.
“I trust it will be an iconic design like the Sydney Opera House.
“It has huge potential and the government has to think of infrastructure that will grow the economy and jobs and the taxes that will flow for hospitals, schools and police.”
Mr Abetz said stadiums in South Australia and North Queensland had initially met with opposition but were now hailed by residents.
“Now they are saying ‘thank goodness we built a stadium’ and often naysayers change their minds,” he said.
Mr Abetz would not be drawn on the defections from the Liberal Party of state MPs Lara Alexander and John Tucker on Friday.
It is understood he has previously been a backer of the pair who have thrown the state into minority government.
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