A group of Tasmanian politicians opposed to the $945 million Macquarie Point stadium has written to AFL boss Andrew Dillon, urging him to scrap the project and meet for urgent talks – just as Tasmania braces for another state election.
The letter, signed by Greens MPs, independents and crossbenchers, challenges the AFL’s non-negotiable stadium demand for Tasmania’s entry into the competition.
Among the signatories are federal senators Jacqui Lambie, Nick McKim and Tammy Tyrrell, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and several state MPs who backed last week’s no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
“Tasmanians want and deserve a team but cannot afford this additional stadium,” the politicians wrote in the June 9 letter.
“We wish to meet with you to discuss the stadium condition in the licence agreement as a matter of the utmost importance to our state.”
The appeal comes as Rockliff’s minority Liberal government collapsed last week after losing an 18-17 no-confidence vote.
The stadium controversy was among several issues that cost Rockliff the crucial support of crossbench MPs, likely triggering the state’s second election in just over a year.
The politicians argue Tasmania already has suitable venues, pointing to UTAS Stadium in Launceston, which is currently receiving a $130 million upgrade.
They also highlighted warnings from the Tasmanian Planning Commission that the Macquarie Point project could add nearly $2 billion to state debt over the next decade.
“We know that for the AFL to be truly considered a national competition, it must include Tasmania. Yet the AFL has insisted on Tasmania building a stadium at Macquarie Point as a precondition for our team,” the letter states.
“That stadium proposal remains overwhelmingly opposed by the Tasmanian community and this opposition is only growing.”
Dillon, however, has previously made it clear the deal is set in stone. “It’s really clear the conditional licence is a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point,” he said.
The timing is critical for Tasmania’s AFL aspirations. Any delays caused by political instability or stadium construction setbacks could jeopardise the Tasmania Devils’ scheduled 2028 debut.
The venue must be at least half-constructed by October 2027 to meet the timeline.
The coalition has requested a face-to-face meeting with Dillon in Melbourne “at a mutually convenient time” to press their case against the stadium condition.
Tabatha Badger MP – Member for Lyons – Greens
Vica Bayley MP – Member for Clark – Greens
Senator Nick McKim – Senator for Tasmania – Greens
Cassy O’Connor MLC – Member for Hobart – Greens
Helen Burnet MP – Member for Clark – Greens
Cecily Rosol MP – Member for Bass – Greens
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson – Senator for Tasmania – Greens
Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP – Greens Leader and Member for Franklin – Greens
Rosemary Armitage MLC – Member for Launceston – Independent
Miriam Beswick MP – Member for Braddon – Independent
Rebekah Pentland MP – Member for Bass – Independent
Mike Gaffney MLC – Member for Mersey – Independent
Craig Garland MP – Member for Braddon – Independent
Kristie Johnson MP – Member for Clark – Independent
Senator Tammy Tyrrell – Senator for Tasmania – Independent
Meg Webb MLC – Member for Nelson – Independent
Andrew Wilkie MP – Member for Clark (Federal) – Independent
Senator Jacqui Lambie – Senator for Tasmania – JLN
Andrew Jenner MP – Member for Lyons – JLN
Mayor Anna Reynolds – Lord Mayor of Hobart – Mayor
Mayor Sue Hickey – Mayor of Glenorchy – Mayor
