Tasmania's AFL team, stadium dream jumps big hurdle

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1] [2]

Labor has thrown its support behind a proposed new stadium in Hobart. (HANDOUT/AFL)

Tasmania's AFL dream has overcome a sizeable political hurdle, with the state's opposition performing a post-election about-face to support a new stadium.

Labor, which had previously opposed the 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point, on Monday announced it would back the project.

The island state's entry into the AFL, slated for 2028, is contingent on the construction of the stadium which carries a $715 million price tag.

The project will be assessed by an independent planning commission and must pass both houses of parliament.

The Liberals, who signed the team and stadium deal, have just 14 of 35 lower-house seats in minority government and faced a tough ask to get the required numbers.

The stadium now has the backing of 10 lower-house Labor MPs.

Labor leader Dean Winter, who took over the role from anti-stadium Rebecca White after the March 23 election, said his party's changed position was about jobs.

But he said the support didn't mean Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff was "off the hook" and needed to deliver on a promise to build the stadium with a capped state spend of $375 million.

"A stadium will mean thousands of jobs in construction, including hundreds of apprenticeships," Mr Winter said.

"That's why Labor will be backing a new stadium.

"While we will not be standing in the way of the current Macquarie Point stadium proposal, we still hold concerns around the deliverability of the project."

Mr Rockliff said it was great to see Labor get on board.

"Looking forward to working together to get this done," he said in a statement.

Labor and Liberal could hold a combined eight seats in the 15-member upper house depending on the outcome of elections in three divisions held on Saturday.

The federal Labor government is spending $240 million on the project, the AFL $15 million with $85 million proposed to come from borrowings against land sale or lease for commercial uses.

Mr Winter said he maintained concern about funding and believed a different "stadium 2.0" proposal should stay on the table.

It is estimated the stadium will create 4200 jobs during construction and 950 jobs per year at the venue afterwards.

Ms White had pledged to try to renegotiate the stadium deal if elected, saying it was not the right priority for the state.

The Greens remain opposed to the stadium, while a crossbench made up of three independents and three Jacqui Lambie Network members have mixed views.

Greens MP Vica Bayley said it was a "stunning" backflip from Labor.

"This is a jaw-dropping decision, even for the party that reversed their position on poker machines, political donation reform, mandatory minimum sentences (and) key planning laws," he said.

Australian Associated Press