A new political row has erupted over the Macquarie Point Stadium plans, with independent MLC Meg Webb set to force a parliamentary vote on reopening negotiations with the AFL.
The Legislative Council will debate Webb’s motion on April 8, which calls on the Rockliff Government to renegotiate the location and timeframe for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.
“Why should 18 non-Tasmanian football bosses dictate the future of Tasmania’s team, iconic Hobart waterfront and financial security,” Webb said.
Her motion follows the release of two independent reports raising significant concerns about the stadium proposal.
The Gruen Report and the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s draft assessment found the stadium would cost approximately double its estimated benefits, potentially saddling the state with $1.86 billion in debt after ten years.
“Tasmanians deserve to be proud of their AFL team, rather than have it forever associated with an expensive white elephant scarring our iconic city waterfront.”
The government has responded sharply to Webb’s motion.
“Ms Webb has yet again sided with the extreme Greens in her bid for re-election,” Business Minister Eric Abetz said.
He says the recent draft assessment from the TPC appears to “underplay the immense benefits of the stadium and the precinct it will unlock, including the key outcome of securing our own AFL/AFLW team”.
Marcus Vermey, who is running for the Liberals in Meg Webb’s seat of Nelson at the May Upper House election, accused the independent of attempting to ‘derail the entire AFL bid’.
“Ms Webb has shown her true colours today with her announced motion for Parliament – she is anti-stadium which means she is anti-AFL team,” Vermey said.
“Ms Webb is living in lala land if she thinks that the AFL will renegotiate the deal, they have been crystal clear that they won’t.”
The AFL has repeatedly stated there will be no Tasmanian team without a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
Last week, 10 of Tasmania’s 11 state cross benchers called on Labor to reconsider its support of the Liberals in developing the stadium.
