Controversial Hobart stadium plan passes parliament, clearing way for Tasmania Devils’ AFL entry
Amid strong arguments that Tasmania would be buried in debt, the federal government pledged $240 million to the stadium and $15 million to the AFL.
“I’m pretty confident we can afford the $875 million. We’ll manage the project to make sure that happens,” Rockliff said Thursday.
A new stadium is needed: AFL chief Andrew Dillon names Tasmanian Devils in March 2024.Credit: AFL Pictures
Now that stadium approval is final, Devils chief executive Brendon Gale and the AFL can make progress on coaching, management and player transfers ahead of the club’s opening in just over two years. The Devils will play home games at their current Tasmanian home ground before the Macquarie Point stadium is built.
Opponents of the stadium, including the group Our Place, flagged further protests but acknowledged there was no avenue for legal challenge once the stadium passed.
“Even if Parliament allows the stadium to be built, it cannot legislate for the reality to be different. And at some point, reality will destroy this unaffordable stadium. The problems will grow to involve all Tasmanians,” spokesman Roland Browne said.
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“None of our political leaders can say they were not warned, and as these problems grow, so will the endless financial consequences.
“The campaign against the stadium will continue as the problems will only get worse.”
Browne said it was the AFL’s duty to “manage the division its stadium has created in Tasmania”.
“IT [the AFL] “He was the one who brought the stadium obligation to the 19th team,” he said.
“He really pushed Tasmania into this situation and didn’t back down an inch.
“I’m hoping they’ll wash their hands of this and say it’s Tasmania’s problem, which I think is a tragedy.”
from AAP
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