Premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed Tasmania’s AFL team will be a game-changer
Tasmania’s investment in an AFL team is not just the culmination of the state’s long-held dream, but an investment in our economic future as well, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said. + ANALYSIS
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Tasmania’s investment in an AFL team is not just the culmination of the state’s long-held dream, but investment in our economic future as well, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
“This is an investment in Tasmania’s future, it’s an investment in our young kids,” he said.
The team agreement was signed in Hobart at noon on Wednesday and announced by AFL chief Gillon McLachlan at North Hobart Oval at 2.25pm.
It is conditional on the construction of a 23,000 seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point — expected to be operational by the start of the 2029 season.
The details of the deal between the state and the AFL have not yet been made public.
Mr Rockliff said backing the bid had entailed political risk, but said it was a question of leadership.
“You’ve got to stand up and do something and be counted, he said.
“This has been challenging. You’re only have to read the headlines and my social media to know where your question is coming from but you’ve got to be stand up and be counted and seize every opportunity you can.
“And why do you do that? Because when you invest in areas such as this infrastructure, key infrastructure, which is more than just AFL … so you can grow the economy, employ Tasmanians, build confidence and so that’s when you fund your essential services, such as health and housing and our schools.
“This is a game changer for Tasmania, investing so we can grow our economy and fund those essential services.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was present at the announcement, as were state Liberal ministers Nic Street and Madeleine Ogilvie and MLC Jane Howlett along with Southern Football League President and member for Franklin David O’Byrne.
No Tasmanian federal MPs attended, nor state Labor, Green or independents. The announcement was closed to the public.
If current pledges hold, Tasmania will spend $375m towards the stadium, $130m for upgrades at Utas stadium in Launceston, $144m on sponsorship for the team and $50m towards a training facility and the federal government will contribute $240m towards the redevelopment of Macquarie Point and $130m towards Utas Stadium.
Labor leader Rebecca White and shadow sports minister Josh Willie welcomed the announcement — despite remaining staunch opponents of the Macquarie Point stadium proposal.
“Tasmania has a proud footballing history and our state is worthy of inclusion in the national league,” they said in a statement.
Peter Hudson, Royce Hart, Darrel Baldock, Mathew Richardson, Alistair Lynch, Rodney Eade and Nick and Jack Riewoldt are greats of the game.
“Tasmania deserves our own teams in the AFL and AFLW and this is exciting news for boys and girls who can one day grow up to represent our own state team in our own colours and for football fans right around our state.
“It’s no secret that we’ve disagreed about the way the Tasmanian government has negotiated with the AFL to secure the license and we remain opposed to taxpayers funding a $1 billion stadium in Hobart.
“But we do look forward to cheering on our own Tassie side when they take to the field at York Park and Bellerive in 2028.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was less generous.
“Not a female leader in sight or voice within earshot,” she posted to Twitter.
“Rich blokes in suits, selling us out for a stadium while Tasmanians sleep in tents or die waiting for an ambulance.”
DAVID KILLICK’S ANALYSIS
Some days in politics, the background noise drops away and it is possible just to savour a triumph for the briefest of moments.
Wednesday was like that for Jeremy Rockliff. The clamour died down a few hours and everyone made some space for the big announcement.
In front of a phalanx of cameras, flanked by the AFL boss and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Rockliff was able to deliver this long-held Tasmanian dream.
The hand-picked crowd clapped and cheered, politicians fondled footballs, and though the players shivered in their shorts, even the rain held off for just long enough.
Sure there was a bloke waving a placard outside the gate, but he was a supporter too.
This was the rarest and purest of good news days.
Days like Wednesday are few and far between in politics. They take the form of election wins and first day as leader and unveiling the plaques on big projects finally delivered.
Who knows which future Premier will snip the ribbon on the Macquarie Point Stadium six short years now or sit in the comfort of the VIP seats for the first game.
Success is no orphan: Mr Rockliff’s triumph was built on the work of his predecessors Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein and many more besides, something he acknowledged.
The contribution to state pride is something that can’t be measured in dollars.
But as the applause and the cheers fade away, the time for questions will resume about the things that can be measured in dollars.
Euphoria is the most elusive and fleeting of human emotions, measured in moments. Respites are just as brief in politics. Parliament returns next week.
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