Premier branded ‘Tony Soprano’ over stadium ultimatum as key MLC raises legal questions

A key member of the Legislative Council has labelled the Premier’s stadium ultimatum as “borderline illegal”, while another MP has likened Jeremy Rockliff to a fictional mob boss.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been likened to fictional mob boss Tony Soprano after his Macquarie Point stadium ultimatum. Picture: AP.

A key member of the Legislative Council has condemned the Premier’s ultimatum on the stadium as being “borderline illegal”.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff was likened to TV gangster Tony Soprano by the Greens during Question Time on Thursday — but said he was determined to see the stadium project through.

On Wednesday, he said that if MPs didn’t vote for legislation to build the stadium, the state’s bid for an AFL team will fail.

Ruth Forrest MLC during hearings of a parliamentary committee in Hobart on Monday 9th September 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson

In a post on social media site Facebook, Legislative Councillor Ruth Forrest rejected Mr Rockliff’s demand MPs back the government or kill the team.

“The Premier’s recent statements as quoted in the media … saying a Tasmanian AFL team won’t go ahead unless the legislation passes” are inappropriate, unwelcome and verging on unlawful.

“Threats, intimidation and coercion are unacceptable in any setting. I urge the Premier to tone down the threats and intimidation as it is bordering on the unlawful.

“The State’s Criminal Code Act 1924 states in section 70(1) ’Any person who, by force or fraud, or by threats or intimidation of any kind, interferes with the free exercise by either House of parliament of its authority, or with the free exercise by any Member of either House of his duty or authority as such Member, is guilty of a crime’.”

Ms Forrest was among a delegation of Tasmanian MPs who visited Adelaide Oval at the weekend on a fact-finding mission.

She said continued to have concerns about aspects of the deal and about the state’s finances and would be working to represent the best interests of Tasmanians.

“I will not be threatened, coerced or bullied into blindly accepting or agreeing to a piece of legislation I am yet to see, a full cost to Tasmanians I am yet to see, the impact on the State budget and financial position,

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I am yet to see any information that I can be assured will address all the concerns raised by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which I am yet to see and a plan to repair the budget, which I am yet to see.”

Ms Forrest said she would not accept any blame if the team bid failed — saying it was all on the government’s mishandling of the topic and it’s unwillingness to listen.

Labor and the Greens continued to grill the government on the project in Question time on Thursday, with Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley likening him to Tony Soprano.

Labor’s Josh Willie said the government was being tricky by claiming the $375m “and not a red cent more cap” did not include borrowings.

“The chaos and incompetence of the Premier’s handling of this project is putting our AFL teams and thousands of jobs at risk,” he said.

Mr Rockliff said he would press on regardless.

“Yesterday I clearly outlined as I have always done with respect to this project: if there is no stadium there is no team,” he said.

“We have very strict timelines with respect to the construction of the stadium.

“We’ve got to get on with the job.

“I know it is challenging for individual members of parliament … but we all have one vote.

“I am absolutely committed to this project for all the reasons I have outlined.”

Mr Rockliff said he had a lengthy conversation with Ms Forrest on Wednesday night and he respected her views.