Labor says government has written AFL a ‘blank cheque’

The cost of Tasmania’s AFL team bid may well surpass $1bn – 15 times that paid by the last new team, Labor says.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Hobart in relation to funding for a stadium at Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania’s new AFL team had been funded by a blank cheque written by the state government drawing on taxpayers’ funds, Labor says.

Shadow Minister for Economic Development Dean Winter said the stadium plan which underpinned the team bid was fraught by loose costings, failed planning, unseen designs and an open-ended risk to the taxpayer.

The federal minister overseeing the project on Tuesday said no money would be allocated without plans as two Change.org petitions against the stadium topped 10,000 signatures since the weekend.

State and federal government pledges cover $615m of the $715m estimated cost of the roofed stadium plan and the as-yet unquantified cost of the other developments at Macquarie Point.

A $15m pledge from the AFL and funding from private investors is hoped to make up the shortfall.

Mr Winter said the price was steep and the risks great.

“This is a blank cheque by the Tasmanian government for the richest sport in Australia,” he said.

“We have been taken for a ride. AFL commentators can scarcely believe we paid this much.

“We are paying around 15 times what Greater Western Sydney paid for its licence not so long ago.

“We have taken on all the risk for the budget overruns – which are almost certain.

“Macquarie Point has been the epicentre for failure to deliver by this government for over ten years and now they want us to believe that can have a billion dollar stadium under construction in the next two years.

“That’s fanciful and that’s not going to happen.”

On top of the stadium funding, the state has also pledged $144m for club operations over 12 years, $130m for upgrading UTAS stadium and $50 million for a training facility, talking the total cost of developments to accommodate a team past $1lbn.

Liberal Minister Madeleine Ogilvie rejected Mr Winters’ claims on Tuesday

“I don’t think our Treasurer would write anybody a blank check,” she said.

“The business case for this has been well constructed. The negotiations are underway. And we’re dealing with organisations that know how to run that very, very important sport for the nation.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the team, annoucement was a bittersweet day for the state.

“We’ve got our team but what a price we’ve been asked to pay,” she said.

“It’s effectively a billion dollar AFL license. That’s money that won’t be invested in health, housing or public education.

“Today should be a time of celebration for all. Tasmanians should be united in celebration - but Jeremy Rockliff bowed to AFL bullying on the stadium and made the choice to divide us over the AFL and AFLW teams we deserve.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said no money would be handed over until comprehensive plans were available.

She told ABC Radio the $240m pledged was intended to pay for much far more than just the stadium.

“The first thing is that Tasmanian Government needs to come back to the Commonwealth with a precinct plan that includes the housing development, social and affordable housing, the transport corridor, they’ve also agreed to the upgrade of Macquarie Wharf 6 and also then the stadium,” she said.

“They’ve also agreed to consult as they develop that plan with the RSL, with Hobart City Council, and with First Nations communities as they go through that.

“So the precinct will include that stadium — but it also needs to be much more and to get and our money across the line that was the commitments that the Tasmanian Government has made to us.

“If they want to get on with the project, then they’ll need to do that plan fairly quickly.

“If they’re wanting to get construction started, then they’ll need to do that work fairly quickly.

“We haven’t specified the breakdown of our funding, we’ve said the money is available for the precinct and again, the Tasmanian Government, as part of their planning will come back to us about how they want to see that money spent and how that money is to be released.”