Tasmanian MPs have expressed strong support for a stadium at Macquarie Point, following an emotional appeal from independent MP David O’Byrne, who fought back emotion as he argued the state’s AFL dream hinges on it.
In a symbolic but significant vote that could pave the way for formal approval of enabling legislation, the House of Assembly today backed O’Byrne’s motion 21-10.
The motion acknowledges that Tasmania’s AFL licence is “dependent on a multi-purpose stadium being built at Macquarie Point”.
The Franklin MP was visibly moved as he read a supportive letter from a constituent, his voice breaking as he quoted: “Please do all you can so our kids don’t have to bow their heads and leave, but they can look up and move forward confidently.”
O’Byrne’s motion focused on the point that Tasmania’s AFL team needs a purpose-built stadium to stay financially viable.
“The AFL have made it clear, if you don’t have a solid business case, regardless of the merits of the history … you can’t be a part of the league,” O’Byrne said.
The motion cited Business Events Tasmania’s estimate that the stadium would pump $332 million into the state’s economy, with the tourism industry predicting it could spark a second “MONA effect” across Tasmania.
O’Byrne, a former infrastructure minister who helped secure initial federal funding for the site, said the choice was simple.
“No one wants an AFL team that has its cap out every year asking for money just to survive. We don’t want to just survive, we want to be successful,” he said.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff agreed, saying Tasmania “cannot lose the opportunity” for the team, the stadium and the broader economic and social benefits.
“We have fought for decades … everyone tried really hard but the AFL said no,” he said.
“[The AFL] closed the door, shut it, slammed it actually and was bloody rude doing it and insulted Tasmania and Tasmanians in the process, frankly, which makes me angry.”
“We should have been given our team all those decades ago but now we have that opportunity and the opportunity comes with some skin in the game and that is our own investment per year, our investment in high-performance centre and our investment in stadia infrastructure as well.”
“Without that, that skin in the game, the door would be slammed shut again.”
Labor leader Dean Winter also backed the stadium, saying you “can’t have it both ways” by supporting a team without backing the infrastructure it needs.
“Tasmanian Labor supports getting an AFL team,” he said. “We support building a stadium so that we can actually achieve that.”
“That was a big choice for us, for myself and my team a little bit over a year ago when we decided to back building a stadium in Hobart.”
“I’ve been lucky to have some successful moments in my political career but I have to say the moment that will stick with me is the day that we changed that and I went to pick my son up from footy training that night and I walked down into the Twin Ovals … and the dads and the mums and the kids saw me and they were ecstatic, they were so excited.”
The Greens, however, rejected the idea that the stadium is a dealbreaker.
Deputy leader Vica Bayley said the strong support and membership numbers already sparked by the team announcement prove the stadium isn’t essential.
“We at The Greens believe the Tasmanian Football Club can and will be successful no matter what. It’s clear that Tasmanians have got behind it,” he said.
“It’s clear that the benefits are starting to flow without a stadium.”
Independent MP Rebekah Pentland said she backs the team, but not the current stadium proposal, remaining “highly sceptical” it is in the state’s best interests.
The 21-10 vote sets the stage for a bigger political test, with enabling legislation soon to come before parliament.
The government will need to get the legislation through both the lower and upper houses to get shovels in the ground.
“We have a unique opportunity and I just ask people in the house, just think for the future. Vote for the stadium,” O’Byrne said in his closing remarks.
