Tucker & Alexander Give Themselves Tick over Stadium POSS

Media release – Independent Member for Lyons, John Tucker MP; Independent Member for Bass, Lara Alexander MP, 8 November 2023

 Winning double for independents

Independents MPs Lara Alexander (Bass) and John Tucker (Lyons) today welcomed the Legislative Council vote to approve the proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie Point as a Project of State Significance (POSS).

The Upper House confirmation means that the stadium project will now be subject to independent assessment by the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC), before a final decision by the Parliament.

The Planning Commission’s integrated assessment must cover all economic, environmental, social and community impacts of the stadium.

Mrs Alexander and Mr Tucker said that confirmation of the POSS process for the proposed stadium, following the establishment in September of a Joint Select Committee on Marinus Link – the first Select Committee established at the behest of an independent member (Mr Tucker) of the Lower House in more than four decades – meant they had now achieved both principal objectives which prompted their decision to move to the cross benches.

“When we left the Liberal Party, we said that government secrecy around the AFL stadium – and the deal signed with the AFL in regard to a Tasmanian licence – and Marinus Link were key concerns behind our decision,” Mrs Alexander said.

“We made clear our intention to achieve Parliamentary scrutiny and oversight of both.”

Mr Tucker said the fact that both objectives had been achieved less than six months after their May 12 resignation reflected widespread concerns in the Parliament and the community over the lack of transparency by the Rockliff Government.

“The Joint Select Committee on Marinus Link we wanted was unanimously endorsed by both Houses,” Mr Tucker said.

“Parliament, like the community, is sick of government secrecy and sick of the out-of-control spending that has resulted in record debt and deficits and a tax attack on every Tasmanian every time they turn the light on or boil the kettle.”

Mrs Alexander said the Legislative Council vote was a welcome victory for the Tasmanian community because it will give Parliament the final say on the stadium.

“Any decision on the Macquarie Point stadium arising out of the POSS process will have no effect until approved by both Houses,” Mrs Alexander said.

“That is very important because the Premier has signed a blank cheque to cover the demands of the AFL and they’re planning to send this bill to Tasmanian taxpayers.”

Mrs Alexander said she welcomed the TPC’s scrutiny of a proposal, not least the proposed housing development as part of the Macquarie Point project, which she said was emblematic of the Government’s misplaced priorities.

“The proposal outlined in the draft Precinct Plan seems to be primarily for private accommodation for millionaire waterfront residents,” she said.

“This plan will do nothing for homelessness, which according to TasCOSS has increased by 45% in Tasmania in the past five years, or 9 times the national average.

“It is more than time that the government started to apply the same priority to local needs as it has been giving to the outrageous demands of the AFL.”

Mr Tucker also took the opportunity to dispel completely unfounded rumours that both he and Mrs Alexander were considering rejoining the Liberal Party.

“If we had remained with the Liberal Party, we would never have been able to achieve these significant wins for the Tasmanian community,” Mr Tucker said.

“The Tasmanian people deserve a strong voice and members of parliament committed to ensuring that their Government puts their interests first. We intend to remain on the cross bench and provide that strong voice.”