Premier Jeremy Rockliff says Tasmania “cannot afford not to build” the Macquarie Point stadium, brushing off a scathing draft report from the state’s planning commission that questions the project’s viability.
During question time in Parliament on Tuesday, Rockliff repeatedly highlighted the stadium’s potential economic and social benefits while facing heavy criticism from across the chamber.
“My view is it’s not so much that we cannot afford to build the stadium, my view is that we cannot not afford to build the stadium because this is a huge economic and social opportunity for Tasmania,” the Premier said.
The Planning Commission’s Draft Integrated Assessment Report, released Monday, found the project would push the state’s debt up by $1.8 billion and could threaten Tasmania’s credit rating.
The report estimates the stadium would generate $744 million in benefits over 25 years and create 238 full-time jobs.
“If there is no stadium, there will be no team and lost opportunity,” Rockliff said.
Opposition Leader Dean Winter insisted Labor still supports the stadium, but took aim at the government’s handling of the project.
“Tasmanian Labor supports the stadium, but the biggest risk to it is your government’s incompetence,” Winter said.
“The draft assessment raises serious concerns the Premier is mismanaging this project, just like he did with the Spirits.”
“I have given the Premier a pathway to have the stadium approved through his own POSS (Project of State Significance) process. But I cannot build it for him.”
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff asked if the Premier would “scrap the stadium and start negotiating a deal with the AFL for all Tasmanians that doesn’t include building a stadium?”
“Surely you can now see that the stadium is a terrible deal for Tasmanians,” she said. Rockliff offered a one-word reply: “No.”
Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner echoed that sentiment, branding the stadium a “white elephant” and urging the government to change course.
“As my boss said yesterday, you’re already in a hole. Why don’t you stop digging and tell the AFL to stick the stadium,” he said.
Independent MPs raised further concerns, with Kristie Johnston pointing out flaws in the project’s housing component and Miriam Beswick criticising the inadequate planning for disability access.
