Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter says that he faced no pressure from his federal counterparts to support Hobart’s proposed Macquarie Point stadium.
Speaking to ABC Radio shortly after announcing his surprise backflip on Monday, Dean Winter denied suggestions his higher ups on the mainland forced the party to change their stance.
“I certainly haven’t felt any pressure,” Winter said. “But, I have to say, it is better for us to be on the same page as the Prime Minister.”
“We’re very supportive of the Prime Minister and his government and we think he’s been a great Prime Minister for our state.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged $240 million in federal funding for the stadium in 2023, complementing $375 million from the Tasmanian government, $15 million from the AFL and $85 million from commercial sources.
The total project has a price tag of $715 million and Tasmanian taxpayers will not fork out any more than $375 million.
“Supporting the project that [Albanese has] so actively supported is a good position for us to be in and I’m looking forward to supporting the Prime Minister over the course of the next few years,” Winter said.
Last year, Albanese said 4,200 jobs were expected to be created during the construction phase alone, adding the funding would contribute to an “urban development project that will create enormous economic activity for Hobart”.
“This is about bringing life and economic activity to this site,” he said.
“A lot of work has gone into this urban redevelopment project. A lot of work. Costings have been done.”
“Our contribution is capped as the Commonwealth contribution always is for something like that, but I have confidence the Tasmanian government will be able to get this project right.”
