The Greens have once again found themselves at odds with both the Liberals and Labor over their continued opposition to the proposed multi-purpose Macquarie Point stadium.
Greens Deputy Leader Vica Bayley questioned the stadium’s price tag of $715 million in Parliament on Wednesday, suggesting that “not a single person” outside the government believes it can be built for that amount.
“We’re up to $830 million now for this stadium according to the documentation and that doesn’t include significant elements of unfunded infrastructure projects as well,” he said.
Minister Eric Abetz responded by calling the Greens “relentlessly negative” and said they would “pluck at anything to run a negative argument”.
He dismissed suggestions that the funds could be better injected into housing, education or health, saying the Greens were “forgetting the fact that you can only spend this money once”.
“To put this all into context in very rough terms, a stadium would last, I would assume, minimum 40 years,” he said.
“The state government contribution to the stadium … represents about 40 days worth of health expenditure. Therefore, over the life of the stadium, the cost is one day’s health expenditure per year.”
The government will contribute a capped figure of $375 million to the construction of the stadium, with the Commonwealth to hand over $240 million and AFL $15 million.
The remaining cost will be covered by private investment.
Labor’s Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said the Greens can no longer “maintain their position” of being against the stadium but in favour of an AFL team, the licence of which requires a stadium.
“It is a complete fantasy, an absolute fantasy and I’m glad … that they’re not in a position to form government,” he said.
He also accused the Greens of dropping the RSL “like a hot potato” after their failed attempt to pass a Cenotaph protection bill last week.
“Yesterday, there was a briefing from veterans … How many of the Greens showed up to that?” he asked. “Last week they were very important to you.”
Parliamentary Secretary Simon Behrakis said the Greens were “throwing whatever they can at something that they’re against just because, just to see what sticks”.
“Perhaps what really bothers the Greens about the stadium is the thought of 23,000 people turning up to cheer for the Tasmania Devils AFL team and spending money in their local community,” he said.
“The Greens can’t bear the thought of our waterfront having a world-class stadium, hotels, restaurants and bars being enjoyed by locals and tourists alike when games, concerts and events are being held at the stadium.”
“Whatever would grow the Tasmanian economy and improve the livelihoods of Tasmanians, you can be sure the Greens will oppose it.”
“That is their instinct and that’s the one consistency in the arguments that they make.”
