There are many differing opinions about the role and future of Australian rules football in Tasmania.
Countless reports and reviews have been undertaken across the decades regarding the viability of our own AFL team. Currently, a number of former players and coaches, notable Tasmanians, and emerging stakeholders are being used to promote the creation of a Tasmanian AFL team. Members of Parliament have also jumped on the popularity of concept, fuelled by a variety of enthusiastic media reports, public lobbying and ‘state pride’.
I have a different view. I have spoken on three separate occasions in Parliament about the issue, stating in the chamber:
“I’m one of those few politicians who does not believe Tasmania needs its own team … I probably enjoy sport as much as the next person and am a staunch supporter of sporting clubs and organisations.… and whilst my opinion is no more important than any other persons, I am able to echo and vocalise the opinions of a significant number of Tasmanians who also are not supportive or are questioning the need or advantage of Tasmania’s own AFL team.”
I provide this point of view on behalf of the many Tasmanians who may fall into one of the following categories; those totally ambivalent to AFL Football and do not view having our own team as a priority; those who do not believe an AFL team should be part of any Government’s agenda; and those who dislike football and would never go to watch, especially a sport which is being challenged in popularity by other sports and recreations.
I appreciate having AFL games currently at both ends of the state, which provides a good variety of teams, and has created supporter bases in the north and south, and an accessible option for north-west coasters. It also has provided a reason for a number of mainlanders to travel and even experience extended stays in Tasmania.
Perhaps the most contentious and surprising announcement contained in the former Premier’s state address was the proposal for the new southern stadium at Regatta Point. The $750 million (more likely $1 billion) project has generated significant public interest and discourse, particularly as there was no mention of any stadium proposal in the lead up to the last election.
Whilst I recognise and can understand the desire to have our own team, I really question the appropriateness of the financial burden and opportunity cost for all Tasmanians of a new stadium. We have to consider what could be done with a billion dollars to benefit all who live and work here.
Surely further investments into healthcare, education, training, cost-of-living expenses, housing, transport, roads, energy, policing and emergency services must take precedence over an additional sports venue?
As the Australian Medical Association inferred, there is a need for increased health spending which should be addressed well before committing to any infrastructure that will only be used a few times a year in Hobart. Our health system is suffering enormously and can be improved only by funds being spent to bring it up to the standard required to operate efficiently in this twenty-first century.
The Government presents the stadium as a multi-purpose venue, and is talking up the prospect of other entertainment and sporting events being catered for with the retractable roof. However, I do not believe that Tasmania has the population to make the build economically viable, especially as is often the case that even more public funds are needed to secure such events. Thus, future generations will be left with an infrequently-used venue, with an exceptionally delicate business case and a stadium which can hardly be seen as a sound business investment.
Another reason to question the need for a new build is that we already have two stadiums that have the demonstrated seating capacity for AFL fixtures here in Tasmania – Bellerive Oval (20,000) and York Park(21,000). These are venues that can hold their heads high against other mainland stadia; such as Giants Stadium, NSW (23,500); Manuka, ACT (14,800); Metricon, QLD (22,500); Mars, VIC (11,000), and Cazaly’s, QLD (13,500). It is my understanding that increasing the seating capacity of the Tasmanian stadiums is also possible.
I find it somewhat perplexing that the AFL appear to be connecting the conditional granting of an AFL licence with building a new state-of-the-art venue. It’s also concerning that the visual aspect and skyline of our capital city could actually rest in the hands of an AFL Board sub-committee responsible for issuing AFL club licenses.
This may be a simplification of the situation however Government and supporting political parties should know many Tasmanians do not regard infrastructure spending on sporting facilities as a priority.
Mike Gaffney is a keen sportsman and a Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council representing the division of Mersey.
