It’s happening.
The penultimate — and arguably the most significant — hurdle for Tasmania’s entry into the AFL has been cleared, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirming the Commonwealth will cover the funding shortfall for a new multi-purpose stadium in Hobart.
Although the announcement didn’t come without tension, with the Prime Minster clashing with hecklers midway through a press conference about his plan to funnel millions into the new venue.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Mr Albanese on Saturday morning announced the federal government would pledge $240 million towards building a new $715 million multi-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point. It comes a day after he also said his government would commit $65 million to upgrade UTAS stadium in Launceston.
The Tasmanian state government had already indicated it would cover half of the cost ($375 million) for the stadium, with the AFL also contributing $15 million and the state government to borrow against land sale or lease for commercial uses to generate $85 million.
CEO, Tasmania team set to be confirmed | 02:22
But the federal government’s pledge — ahead of the May 9 budget — to cover the remaining cost, subsequently, paves the way for Tasmania being granted a 19th AFL licence. The AFL Commission and 18 clubs believe a new stadium is critical to the success of the club.
The AFL on Saturday confirmed it’ll now formally go to the 18 clubs for support of a 19th licence to be based in Tasmania, with the 18 club presidents to vote. It would take a two-thirds majority (13 of 18 clubs) to veto a Tasmanian team and overturn the AFL Commission’s decision, although there was reportedly an overwhelmingly positive reception when the league met with clubs on Friday following the news of the impending funding deal.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has also consistently stressed he would like broad alignment across clubs on a Tassie AFL club.
The AFL Commission will then meet before an official update from the AFL is provided.
“This is a revitalisation project that will transform this city. It is one that I’m very pleased to support,” Mr Albanese said.
“We want to make sure that the benefits of having an AFL team based here in Tasmania means that they can play both in Hobart and in Launceston as well to develop, to deliver the economic benefits for the whole state of Tasmania.”
Some protesters attended the announcement on Saturday, armed with a sign that said: ‘NO STADIUM.’ Many were heard heckling the Prime Minister and Tasmanian Premier during the press conference.
One protester could be heard shouting: “People need housing, healthcare … you don’t need a new stadium. You need homes.”
It wasn’t until the Prime Minister began to wind down the press conference when the situation came to a head.
“The big picture is housing,” a woman yelled, adding, “Let’s talk about housing, Prime Minister”.
An unimpressed Mr Albanese glared at the protester and responded: “I think you’ve had your say.”
“No, I haven’t, you have had your say at the back of the sewerage works when no-one knows what is going on,” she continued.
The Prime Minister then turned his focus back to the reporter’s question about whether or not he would be DJing at Kyle Sandilands’s wedding on Saturday, before promptly ending the press conference.
Mr Albanese at the conclusion of the presser walked past the protesters.
While Tasmanians have been broadly supportive of the state joining the AFL, the condition of requiring a new stadium be built has proved to be controversial.
State Labor has been critical of the proposal and leader Rebecca White did not appear alongside the Prime Minister at the announcements.
Asked about her absence on Friday when Mr Albanese pledged the cash to upgrade UTAS Stadium, he shrugged suggestions of a rift.
“There aren‘t members of the opposition at either level here. This is a government to government announcement,” he said.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the new Macquarie Point site would “turbocharge the Tasmanian economy for decades”.
“As I said, I don’t want to sit back in 10 years time when I’m back on the farm, thinking ‘you know what, if only I drove that a bit harder we might’ve got that’. Well, today we got it,” Mr Rockliff wrote on Twitter.
“We’ve secured a $240 million investment to transform Mac Point, into something we can all be proud of. The entire precinct will contain housing for health workers, community facilities and a multi-purpose stadium that unlocks Tassie’s very own AFL team.
“This is going to turbocharge the Tasmanian economy for decades, and allow us to continue investing record amounts into health, housing and education. Because Tasmanians deserve what every other state has. And it’s the right thing to do.”
Lions best and fairest winner Mitch Robinson was one of several former players that threw their support behind the announcement.
“You don’t understand what this means to every Tasmanian kid aspiring to play AFL or any sport for that matter,” he wrote on Twitter.
“So incredibly proud, a genuine platform and new pathway for the next generation!”
AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan thanked Prime Minister Albanese and the Federal Government for “realising the vision for the Mac Point precinct and all the economic activity the urban redevelopment will bring to the state”.
“The redevelopment itself as part of a wider urban renewal vision can play a major role in transforming the city and the state and provide wider social benefits for the Tasmanian community, and I wish to also thank and congratulate Premier Rockliff and his team on today’s announcement,” McLachlan said.
“For a club to compete and succeed on the national stage, it needs a home that enables and empowers it to compete from the start, on and off the field, and today’s announcement gives a potential Tasmanian club that opportunity.
“It is why so much work has been done between the AFL and the Tasmanian State Government to ensure not just a team for Tasmania but a destination club, playing in a destination stadium, in a destination state.
“The stadium at Mac Point is the final workstream, with the question on a 19th licence to be answered in the coming days.”
— with NCA NewsWire
