Macquarie Point AFL stadium in Hobart clears major hurdle as Labor opposition gives project its support
New Labor leader Dean Winter has signalled the party will now back a stadium at Macquarie Point, in Hobart. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
Tasmanian Labor has announced it will support the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, all but assuring it will pass parliament.
Labor leader Dean Winter made the announcement on Monday afternoon, saying that “Labor has changed” and it will back the AFL stadium based on its promised construction jobs.
It is the main political hurdle to overcome for the stadium, meaning both the state Liberals and Labor are in favour, along with the federal Labor government.
Mr Winter said the party would continue to scrutinise the process — including Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s promised $375 million spending cap — but would not stand in the way.
“A stadium will mean thousands of jobs in construction, including hundreds of apprenticeships,” he said.
“While we will not be standing in the way of the current Macquarie Point stadium proposal, we still hold concerns around the deliverability of the project.
“Under my leadership, the Labor Party stands for safe, secure, well-paid jobs.”
Mr Winter said the government should also consider the “stadium 2.0” proposal — a public-private project built further around the foreshore using reclaimed land.
Premier ‘looking forward’ to working with Labor
In the last term of parliament, Labor had been steadfastly opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium, but did not vote against it despite having an opportunity to do so.
Mr Rockliff welcomed Labor’s change of position.
“Great to see Labor finally on board on Mac Point,” he said.
“Looking forward to working together to get this done.”
The stadium is currently being assessed by Tasmania’s Planning Commission, and will need to pass both houses of parliament when this work is finished, likely next year.
Labor and the Liberals have a combined majority in the lower house.
The weekend’s upper house elections are still being counted, but Labor and the Liberals are likely to either have a majority of one, or a minority of one — depending on whether Labor wins or loses Elwick.
Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said Labor had a “track record for walking back on commitments”, citing the party’s backflip on pokies legislation.
“This is the most cynical and deeply dishonest walking back that I’ve ever seen,” Dr Woodruff said.
“Voters in [the Legislative Council division of] Elwick went to make a decision on Saturday without knowing the consequences of Labor’s backflip.”
She said the Greens would not be changing their position of opposition to the stadium.
Greens MP Vica Bayley said he did not accept Labor’s argument about jobs.
“When it comes to jobs, there are thousands of jobs in building more homes for vulnerable Tasmanians, in building the hospitals and staffing them.
“This is not about jobs; this is the Labor Party letting down tens of thousands of voters all around the state.”
Union says stadium build will be ‘important work’
Communications Electrical and Plumbing union state secretary Michael Anderson said while the union had concerns about the original Macquarie Point stadium proposal, he welcomed Mr Winter’s comment that the government should also consider the Regatta Point option.
“But we should remember that it’s a dodgy deal between the Liberal Party and the AFL that led us to the complete mess that got us to where we are now,” Mr Anderson said.
He also said infrastructure work should not be seen as “a waste of money”.
“Unfortunately, that’s how it was framed in the first place. In the middle of this whole conversation there should be the conversation about is Mac Point, as it was originally proposed, the best place and the best way to facilitate a football team. And from the start, we just said it wasn’t.
“There are other alternatives about, there are better options.”
But, Mr Anderson said, however the stadium proceeds “it will be built by union members and it’s important work”.