The Federal Greens have called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to withdraw $240 million in Commonwealth funding for Hobart’s Macquarie Point stadium project.
The call comes after Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced plans to fast-track the stadium through special legislation, bypassing standard planning processes.
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the Prime Minister should withdraw support for what he described as a “corrupted” approval process.
“There’s no doubt Anthony Albanese gave Tasmania $240 million on the assumption that the stadium would be properly assessed by an independent body like the Tasmanian Planning Commission,” McKim said.
“This is a political choice. Mr Albanese has the power to redistribute this money into things that actually matter to Tasmanians, like public housing and hospitals.”
McKim compared the stadium approval process unfavourably to the controversial 2007 pulp mill assessment.
“At least the pulp mill process had a fig leaf of independent assessment. Rockliff’s dodgy parliamentary approval doesn’t even have that,” he said.
During a visit to Tasmania on Monday, Albanese avoided directly addressing concerns about the planning process, instead focusing on the potential of the site.
“Mac Point has been an eyesore. It should be a jewel in the crown,” Albanese said.
When pressed specifically about the bypassing of planning regulations, the Prime Minister distanced himself from the decision.
“The process is a Tasmanian Government process. What I want to see is for urban redevelopment,” he said.
“I have not had discussions with the Premier about the specifics of the proposal. That’s a matter for Tasmania.”
The Prime Minister voiced support for Tasmania’s AFL aspirations, noting the “amazing number of people” who have already signed up to support the proposed Tassie Devils team.
The plan has divided political opinion, with state Labor and Independent David O’Byrne supporting the fast-track approach, while the Greens and other independents remain opposed.
On Tuesday, independent state MP Craig Garland announced he would move a motion to launch a referendum for the public to decide on the stadium’s fate.
In response, a state government spokesperson said they would not entertain Garland’s idea.
“No. Parliament – as the representatives of the people – will have the final vote,” they told Pulse.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he hopes construction on the stadium will commence by Christmas if his special enabling legislation passes parliament in July.
