Independent Franklin MP David O’Byrne delivers speech in favour of Macquarie Point stadium

Independent MP David O’Byrne has expressed his support for the Macquarie Point stadium while simultaneously lashing the state government for its record on health and housing.

David O'Byrne member for Franklin. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor Independent David O’Byrne has delivered a passionate speech in favour of the Macquarie Point stadium, standing in stark contrast to his former Labor colleagues.

Mr O’Byrne, who is also the president of the Southern Football League, is shaping up as the crossbench’s sole supporter of the stadium, with the other independents being highly sceptical of the project.

The Franklin MP enthusiastically endorsed a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the state government on Tuesday – which the Liberals survived – but used his 30-minute speech during the debate to also express his backing for the stadium.

“The reason why the stadium and the issue of the AFL team is so contentious is because the state Liberal government is failing to deliver on core services, such as health care, education, and housing combined with their inability to manage their own numbers,” he said.

Member for Franklin David O'Byrne speaks to the media at Parliament Square in Hobart on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

The ex-Labor leader offered a scathing assessment of the government’s record on health, education and housing, pointing out that just 58 per cent of elective surgery patients are seen within clinically recommended time frames, while the social housing waiting list had grown by 1000 families over the last five years.

“I have always said a good government should be able to deliver on the core services of health care, education, housing and infrastructure, while also investing in infrastructure that would transform Hobart and revitalise the Macquarie Point site,” he said.

Mr O’Byrne said the Tasmanian AFL team and the stadium could not be “uncoupled” now.

“There is a difference of opinion, but I think people change their mind because the importance of a team to football and communities in Tasmania cannot be measured,” he said. “It is a pathway out of poverty for many kids. It is a sense of community for so many communities both metropolitan, urban and regional. It is the glue and the fabric of so many places and communities in Tasmania; it means so much to them.”

David O'Byrne MP, Lara Alexander MP and John Tucker MP. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I know there are differences of opinion on this and I do not seek to denigrate, dislike or abuse those who disagree with me on this because we agree on so much more in Tasmania. It is important that we fully appreciate the consequences of a debate around an AFL team and a stadium.

“I think this house will debate those matters in coming months but at the heart of it, we are in this place because the government that I have no confidence in and never will, have stuffed it.”

Mr O’Byrne served briefly as Opposition Leader in 2021, resigning after admitting inappropriate conduct relating to a colleague when he was a union leader sixteen years ago.

The matter was investigated and found not to be in breach of Labor rules.