Meanwhile, the Tasmanian government has narrowed down its preferred funding approach for the as-yet-unannounced stadium at Macquarie Point. This decision has ignited a new firestorm of outrage by politicians and constituents alike. The facility is deeply connected to the future of Tasmania’s AFL license. It will take a debt-funded model, borrowing the required funds through the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) to fund construction.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission is now reviewing the stadium since the project has been declared to be of state significance. This unfortunate funding decision comes at the same time as that review. That’s not stopping new Premier Jeremy Rockliff on his stated mission to deliver a new AFL team to Tasmania. Now, he’s facing growing resistance due to fiscal effects of the stadium boondoggle.
Opposition Voices Concerns
In particular, critics have lambasted the administration for reneging on commitments about the structure of the funding. Opponents assert that the Premier had initially pledged that Tasmania’s contribution would be capped at $375 million, with no additional costs. Senator Jacqui Lambie expressed her anger at the government. She bravely went there, accusing their simple-minded solution to the stadium crisis of being a “dictatorship.”
More than 5 000 people filled the parliament lawns in Hobart during the peak of a recent rally. They uniformly opposed the proposed stadium and expressed their anger that the government would drop the current planning process in favour of special enabling legislation. A quote from an unidentified protestor encapsulated the sentiment:
“It’s your fault.”
Lambie made an important point about how the community owed it to the project to provide transparency and clear communication. She stated,
“We are not here to draw an arbitrary line in the sand about how far our support goes without all the information.”
Government’s Justification and Support
Despite the backlash, government officials maintain that quick action is essential for delivering both the stadium and the AFL team within the proposed timeline. Nick Duigan, a supporter of the project, noted that he believes borrowing was always part of the agreement with the AFL concerning land at Macquarie Point. He remarked,
“If we are going to deliver the stadium infrastructure and the team in the timeline that is available to us we’ve got to get on with it.”
All Premier Rockliff has been doing for years is repeating his commitment to delivering an AFL team to Tasmania. Duigan defended the Premier’s actions, stating,
“The premier hasn’t deviated one inch from his line about delivering the team for Tasmania.”
They are joined by local Labor Party representatives, who insist the project is inextricably tied to the AFL team deal. Labor’s Sarah Lovell insisted that it was critical Rockliff take this project across the finish line.
Contentious Nature of Stadium Projects
Stadium projects typically generate fierce emotions in communities and the proposed Macquarie Point stadium has been no different. Needless to say, critics, including former Alabama state senator Kristie Johnston, have highlighted concern over possible mismanagement tied to the project. She remarked,
“It’s already showing the hallmarks of mismanagement,” and further criticized Labor’s fluctuating stance on stadium support by saying,
“Because let’s face it, when it comes to the stadium, Labor has had more positions than a Kama Sutra book.”
As discussions continue, one thing remains clear: the fate of the Macquarie Point stadium will have significant implications for both Tasmania’s sporting future and its financial landscape.
