Elise Archer says she can’t support the proposed Hobart stadium, raising concerns about its rising costs as she re-enters the political arena as an independent candidate.
The former Liberal attorney-general, who left parliament in 2023, told Local Radio on Wednesday she thinks the Macquarie Point stadium isn’t financially sustainable.
“The proposal as it stands now, I can’t support,” Archer said. “We can’t throw taxpayer money at it.”
Archer estimates the total cost could climb to $1.5 billion, well above the current $945 million figure and says taxpayers would likely bear most of the burden.
“We all know that costs will keep escalating and it could be up to one and a half billion dollars,” she said.
Her opposition places her at odds with both major parties, which support the stadium as a condition for securing Tasmania’s AFL licence.
Her position aligns closely with fellow Clark independent Kristie Johnston, who also opposes the project.
While she supports the idea of a Tasmanian AFL team, Archer says the stadium deal comes at too high a cost.
“I would love an AFL side… but it can’t come at any cost,” she said. “No other state in Australia has had this type of condition placed on it by the AFL.”
She also said she was surprised Premier Jeremy Rockliff moved ahead with the stadium proposal reportedly without full cabinet approval.
“I was quite shocked that you’d make such a captain’s call on such a significant project,” Archer said. “It wasn’t approved by cabinet either.”
“When we did have that policy for a stadium, it was a different time and there was a finite amount that would be put in of state taxpayer money. And that seems to have changed.”
Rockliff pushed back on Archer’s version of events when asked about her claims at a press conference.
“I’m not going to comment on anything that was presented today by Ms Archer,” he said.
“The stadium went to budget committee, went to cabinet. It was in the budget in 2023. My colleagues were kept informed around the agreement and that’s well on record.”
The stadium was initially estimated to cost $715 million, with the state government committing $375 million.
While that figure remains the same, the rest of the funding, excluding $15 million from the AFL and $240 million from the federal government, will come from borrowings.
“If there happens to be alternatives that are feasible and it’s sustainable and it can run itself without the additional taxpayer expense, then perhaps we look at that,” Archer said.
“But at this point in time, that’s not on the table. The government has excluded all other options and I can’t support the current proposal.”
If successful, Archer couldn’t say who she would support to form government after the July 19 state election.
“I don’t favour any side… what I want is what’s best for the people of Clark,” she said.
