Labor has thrown its weight behind the Macquarie Point stadium but says Tasmanians have every reason to doubt the government’s ability to deliver it without another cost blowout.
Leader Josh Willie quizzed Premier Jeremy Rockliff in parliament on Tuesday over the stadium’s ballooning price tag, which has jumped from $715 million to $945 million and now $1.13 billion.
“Labor supports the stadium and we understand it is critical to securing the AFL and AFLW teams that Tasmania has fought for generations,” Willie said.
“But it doesn’t mean Tasmanians aren’t deeply worried about your ability to manage major infrastructure projects after the Spirit’s fiasco.”
Willie challenged Rockliff to explain why the government walked away from private investment, despite previously spruiking ‘strong positive interest’ from consortiums, builders and big investors.
He asked whether the premier would revisit private partnerships to “shield Tasmanians from further financial risk”.
Rockliff insisted the stadium would pay off through extra economic activity, delivering more land tax and hotel revenue to help fund essential services.
He argued full government funding gives the state greater control.
“Our view is that this is very affordable in terms of an infrastructure project,” he said.
“One that will bring jobs and growth and excitement to the Tasmanian economy that will bring with it, of course, our Tasmania Devils that are already established and already doing great work within our community.”
Rockliff said private investment would flow into hotels and hospitality rather than the stadium itself, pointing to similar models in Adelaide, Perth and Townsville.
He also warned Queensland’s 2032 Olympics build could draw Tasmanian workers interstate unless the stadium proceeds quickly.
Parliament will have the final say on whether the stadium proceeds, with Labor’s backing set to get it through the lower house and MLCs in the upper house holding the deciding vote.
Labor will today table a motion to refer the project to the Public Accounts Committee for ongoing scrutiny, aiming to ensure it stays on budget and on schedule if approved.
