Up to three Labor MPs predicted to cross the floor to support the Macquarie Point stadium

Tasmania’s Labor spokesperson for sport has hit back at claims Labor MPs will cross the floor on the stadium vote. LATEST >

The Tasmanian Labor party has rejected a suggestion opposition MPs would cross the floor in state parliament to support the government’s bid for a stadium.

Labor spokesperson for sport Josh Willie said the suggestion by University of Sydney academic Tim Harcourt had no basis.

“I’m no going to give that much air time, it’s absolute rubbish. When it doesn’t happen that will reflect on the person who is saying that,” Ms Willie said.

Josh Willie Shadow Minister for Sport and Labor member. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Professor Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney, predicted members of the state opposition would vote with their feet and cross the floor on the stadium issue.

But election analyst Kevin Bonham has called the claim “far-fetched”.

Professor Harcourt believes the Macquarie Point precinct will bring huge financial gains for Tasmania, following hundreds protesting against the stadium on the lawns of parliament last Saturday.

A concept image of Hobart's proposed stadium at Macquarie Point — the design is yet to be finalised.(Supplied: AFL) Tasmania AFL Tasmania Devils AFL stadium

“Who knew the economics of sport could be so contentious?” he said.

“People really have to think about that they are doing when they are campaigning against the precinct.

“It’s not just the stadium, it’s the whole arts, sport and entertainment precinct.

“You campaign against that, you’ll lose the money, you’ll lose the (Federal Government’s) $240m, you’ll lose the $360m from the AFL (investment in Tasmanian football) and you won’t have a team.”

Harcourt laughed at suggestions he had split the state Liberals.

Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White at Risdon Vale. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I was asked would my next trick be to split the Tasmanian Labor opposition because I understand three members may cross the floor to support the stadium,” Harcourt said.

“Then there’s David O’Byrne, the independent Labor MP, and a very good footballer for Adelaide University, and he may also vote for the government as well.

“There’s plenty going to be going on in Hobart in Parliament.”

The Federal Government committed $240m toward the Macquarie Point urban renewal project, the state government committed $375m, the AFL committed $15 for the stadium, with the balance to come from property sales and leasing, and other commercial avenues.

Professor Harcourt believes it would be money well spent.

“Tassie has been waiting 33 years (for an AFL team) so $240m over 33 years is not very much,” he said.

Tim Harcourt (L), Austrade Chief Economist and his father Professor Geoff Harcourt, UNSW Visiting Fellow (Cambridge), at the University of NSW. Picture: Supplied.

“When you compare it to the $3.8 billion going to Brisbane for the Olympics and Paralympics, a Tassie team for the next 100 years, that’s quite cheap if you consider the type of investment they could do.”

Political opportunism could also be at play.

“It’s a big political risk for Bec White, the Tasmanian Labor Opposition leader, to lose two elections in a row and then lose Tasmania its AFL team – you don’t want to have that record,” Harcourt said.

“A lot of people are under the impression that we just want a team playing at Bellerive and York Park but we don’t want the stadium.

“It’s pretty clear, you don’t support the stadium, and you won’t have a team.

“The AFL will take it off the table.”

The Macquarie Point redevelopment would be a financial boon to the state.

“You’re going to have the construction of the precinct, you’re going to have the entertainment, the events, the conventions, conferences, concerts in the precinct,” professor Harcourt said.

“We saw what the AFL’s Gather Round did in South Australia and what a success that was.

“In Perth with Optus Stadium, Coldplay has just sold out its concert there.

“Once they have this precinct on the beautiful Hobart waterfront, Tasmanians are going to see enormous benefits.

“Not just in the construction, but in all of the entrepreneurial activity they will have around it.

“It is a beautiful place, Hobart, and you can just see they precinct adding so much value to the whole state and particularly to the city.”

Election analyst Kevin Bonham slammed the Sky report, saying claims three Labor MPs would cross the floor over the stadium was “far-fetched” and that “ALP doesn’t do that stuff in general”.

The claims come as Labor themselves say it is possible for more Liberal MPs to cross the floor on the stadium issue.

Mr Willie also took a swipe at “the secret deal” Premier Rockliff signed with the AFL, saying “it remains secret”.

“It’s time for Premier Rockliff to come clean and release the secret deal with the AFL and show Tasmanians exactly what he has signed taxpayers up to,” Mr Willie said.