Final debate to kick off on contentious AFL stadium
After years of heated debate and commentary, the future of the proposed AFL stadium will be determined by a parliamentary vote.
Tasmania’s upper house will begin debating an order to approve the $1.13 billion, 23,000-seat roofed arena at Macquarie Point in Hobart on Wednesday.
The stadium, backed by the state’s two major parties, is a condition of the Tasmanian Devils joining the AFL and AFLW in 2028.
The project passed the lower house in November and now requires votes from at least eight of the 15 members of the upper house to get the green light.
The result depends on the votes of two “undecided” people, Bec Thomas and Dean Harriss, plus the votes of a handful of independents.
Debate over the decision could last days before a vote is reached.
An estimated 15,000 people marched in support of the stadium on Sunday, after 1,500 people joined an anti-stadium protest a week earlier, although official police figures are disputed.
Roland Browne, spokesman for anti-stadium group Our Place – Hobart, said the important figures were the cost of the project and the government debt.
The stadium’s initial debt of $715 million has exploded, with Tasmania’s debt expected to more than double to more than $10 billion in 2028/29.
“Those are the numbers that I think are front and center for members of the upper house,” Mr Browne said.
Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the AFL contract, admitted on Tuesday he was concerned about the outcome.
He told the pro-stadium rally that the upper house vote would define the state for generations.
“Our passion for the Tasmanian Devils and young people has brought it to this point. We will get the job done,” he said.
Tasmania’s planning authority recommended the stadium not be built, saying it was too large for the field and its costs outweighed its benefits.
RSL believes the design would negatively impact the sanctity and heritage of the nearby cenotaph.
Mr Rockliff declared the venue a transformative economic driver and the only chance to secure Tasmania’s long-desired entry into the AFL.
The AFL is contributing $15 million towards the stadium and the federal government is contributing $240 million, while Tasmania is paying $375 million plus the rest in debt.
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was at an anti-stadium rally in 2023, shortly after two state Liberals left the party over concerns about the deal.
“Tasmanians have a lot of anger towards your stadium and you can shove it up your asses,” he told the crowd.
