Lawyer questions whether gambling lobby donations played a role in stadium decision
An anti-stadium activist claims two large donations from a lobby group may have influenced the decision-making process to build a stadium at Mac Point. Here’s the details.
Two large donations from a lobby group representing the AFL’s gambling partner to the Tasmanian Liberal Party raised questions about their role in the decision to build a stadium at Macquarie Point, a parliamentary committee has heard.
Hobart lawyer and anti-stadium activist Roland Browne gave evidence before the House of Assembly Inquiry into the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Amendment Bill in Hobart on Friday.
He highlighted donations from Responsible Wagering Australia — which represents AFL gambling partner Sportsbet.
“By the middle of 2022, the government was working on its stadium proposal and was working out where it was going to go,” Mr Brown told the committee.
“On the 11th of July 2022, Responsible Wagering donated $11,600 – more than twice what it donated in the previous year.
“On the 31st of August 2022, Responsible Wagering donated $10,000 to the Liberal Party.
‘Three weeks after … Responsible Wagering donated $21,600, there’s an announcement that the stadium is to be placed at Macquarie Point.”
Returns filed with the Australian Electoral Commission confirm the RWA donations to the Tasmania Liberals, along with donations to the Liberals in South Australia, Labor in Western Australia and Labor and the Nationals nationally.
“What was the purpose of Responsible Wagering donating $22,600 to the Liberal Party three weeks before the announcement as to the location of the stadium?” Mr Browne asked.
“What did the lobby group gain? Those donations were nowhere near an election.
“The only answer that can be inferred is that the stadium that the AFL wanted to achieve was going to advance its financial interests directly, and also through its partner Sportsbet.”
Mr Browne said donations from gambling interests such as the Responsible Wagering donations would be illegal under electoral donations laws in place in NSW.
“It’s not corruption in the criminal sense. It’s corruption in the sense of corrupting the system of government, as the High Court describes corrupting: corrupting the process and corrupting the integrity of government, corrupting people’s faith.
“It’s been happening for such a long time that the people involved in making the donations, and the people in the parties receiving the donations, see it just part of doing business.”
Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the comments “sounded like a pretty long bow”.
“We’re pursuing this stadium because we want Tasmania to take our place in the national league,” he said.
“We are a proud footballing state, and we’ve delivered some of the greats of the game as well as some of the most enthusiastic grassroots players and supporters.
“Tasmanians deserve their own team, and their stadium was a key part of delivering that.”
RWA chief Kai Cantwell said the donations had nothing to do with the stadium.
“RWA engages governments on matters of public policy, promoting socially responsible wagering and advocating for improved standards for the wider sector,” he said.
“We do not and have never sought to influence decisions regarding sporting or any other type of infrastructure.”
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