Media release – EMRS, 25 February 2025

Macquarie Point Stadium unpopular, but support for Third Party Appeals Reform

EMRS surveyed whether Tasmanians supported the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, as well as the proposed reforms to third party planning appeals, as part of our recent state-wide omnibus.

MACQUARIE POINT STADIUM

Statewide, the survey found 59 per cent did not support the Macquarie Point stadium, with only 36 per cent supportive and a tiny four per cent undecided.

Opposition to the stadium was strongest in the north (67 per cent) and north west (65 per cent), with 52 per cent opposition in the south.

There was majority support for the stadium in the 25-34 age-bracket, 54 per cent (for), 41 per cent (against) falling away to just 23 (for), 74 (against) per cent in the 70-plus age bracket.

Overall, males (42 per cent) supported the stadium more than females (31 per cent).

Using demographic and geographic data, it can be inferred that a stereo-typical:

– stadium supporter – is 25-34 years old, with a young family living in Franklin

– stadium opponent – 55-plus, living in Bass or Braddon and earning under $80,000 per year.

THIRD PARTY PLANNING APPEALS

44 per cent of those surveyed supported the proposed reform with 34 per cent opposed and 23 per cent were neutral/undecided.

Support was roughly equivalent in Tasmania’s regions: the south 44 per cent support and 35 per cent opposed, north 48 per cent support and 31 per cent opposed, north west 39 per cent support and 33 per cent opposed.

From a demographic perspective those with a post graduate degree (30 per cent), those aged 55 – 69 (26 per cent) or retired or on a pension (25 per cent) were more likely to be strongly opposed to the planning system changes.

Those working full time (51 per cent) were the most likely to support the proposed change.

The surveys was conducted from the 11th to the 18th of February. 1,000 Tasmanian registered voters were interviewed, and responses weighted to reflect the Tasmanian adult voting population. A sample of this size provides a maximum margin of error of +/3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

The two questions asked were:

Stadium: Do you support the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart? (yes/no/unsure)

Planning: Thinking about development in Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government has announced changes to the planning system. They will only allow people directly affected by a residential or commercial development to appeal the planning decision of that development. To what extent do you support or oppose this?” (Strongly support, somewhat support, neutral, somewhat oppose, strongly oppose).







Media release – independent MHAs Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick, 25 February 2025

STADIUM POLL SHOWS GOVERNMENT WRONG TO IGNORE GRUEN REPORT

Northern independents Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick say new polling on the Macquarie Point stadium should serve as a reality check for the State Government.

The poll released by EMRS shows 59% of Tasmanians are opposed to the project, compared to 36% in favour.

“The Government must start listening to Tasmanians when it comes to the stadium,” Mrs Pentland said.

“The polling shows the Premier was wrong to ignore the findings of the Gruen report.

“Instead of using the Gruen report to fight for a better deal for taxpayers, the Government chose to arrogantly disregard it.

“Today’s polling confirms that decision was not in line with public sentiment.

“It’s clear Tasmanians in all parts of the state are far from convinced about the merits of the stadium.

“The Government has failed to make the case for it and its impact on Tasmania’s budget must be ringing alarm bells for a lot of voters.

“I stood firm against the stadium at the last election and it’s clear the majority of Tasmanians share my concern.

“I am passionate about Tasmania having its own team in the AFL, but a new Hobart stadium shouldn’t be a prerequisite. We deserve our own team.”

Braddon MP Miriam Beswick said the Government must revisit Nicholas Gruen’s findings.

“The Gruen report highlights how unbalanced the deal is for Tasmanian taxpayers,” Mrs Beswick said.

“We’re taking on almost all of the risk at a time when the state budget is on an unsustainable trajectory.

“With net debt on track to soar past $10 billion, voters appear rightly sceptical about Tasmania’s ability to pay for a stadium with an unknown price tag.

“This polling should be a wake-up call for both major parties.”

Speech to Town Hall meeting – Kristie Johnston, independent MHA for Clark, 25 February 2025

Unpacking Gruen, town hall speech

The Gruen report confirmed what we already knew or strongly suspected. The stadium’s costs are grossly underestimated. Its benefits are overstated.

It’s already showing the hallmarks of mismanagement.

And today EMRS tells us 59% of Tasmanians oppose the stadium.

The experts as we know have been lining up to tell us the stadium does not stack up. That the stadium is a bad idea. And we can’t afford it.

So, you would think with this government’s track record of stuff-ups they’d be ready to listen. You would think commonsense would prevail.

But not this government.

With their trademark arrogance … and subservience to the AFL … they’re going to stick to their dud deal.

They want to leave future generations lumped with an almighty bill to pay.

The expert economists this government is choosing to ignore are Dr Nicholas Gruen … Mr Saul Eslake … and Dr Graeme Wells.

They are also ignoring KPMG … who have been comissioned by Macquarie Point Development Corporation. Even KPMG admit it doesn’t stack up … they can’t even confect a case that sees the stadium bring a positive return on investment.

Even the Treasury Deparment says this stadium is a significant budget risk.

And if that’s not bad enough … they’ve snubbed the RSL, the TSO and the Tasmanian Aborginal Community.

They are also ignoring a significant number of members of the cross bench and legislative council who oppose the stadium after listening to their communities.

But most importantly this government is also choosing to ignore you — the people.

But you might ask … who is missing from this big list of voices? Who is conspicuous by their absence?

Well … it’s the opposition of course … the Tasmanian Labor Party. Remember that party? … the alleged opposition … the Labor Party that went to the last election opposing the stadium.

Are they here today by chance … hello … can anyone see them?

It took Labor less than two months after the election to do an Olympic gold medal winning backflip … And drop their opposition to the stadium like a hot potato.

They seem happy to go along with the government’s fairytale … that the stadium will only cost Tasmanians $375 million …. And not a red cent more.

The problem is … we all know it’s going to cost many times more. And we know Tasmania is on the hook for all of it.

So … when do we pull the pin on this folly … and will Labor wait until it’s too late for them to act?

Will they only act when the $375 million promise is broken … and we have a partially constructed stadium that comes with a billion dollar price tag to finish – and we are the laughing stock of the nation?

Or … will they end the madness now … before it goes any further?

They have been very vocal about the Spirits debacle but why won’t they bring their voice to this – a debacle on a much bigger scale that they could prevent.

All but one crossbencher is putting the best interest of Tasmanians first by opposing the stadium. But the Labor opposition is missing in action.

I know we’ve lost faith in the major parties … Because sadly neither party seems interested in sound management … Whether its the economy, the environment or any number of other issues.

They’re interested in pandering to their financial backers because their main concerns are maintaining power and self preservation. But at the end of the day … They need your vote … SO We need to maintain the rage … Let them see your power now!

It’s time to hit both parties where it hurts – for the Liberals, the fear of losing government and for Labor it’s the fear of continuing their historic term on the Opposition benches.

I urge you to write to every Liberal and Labor member.

Particularly call on Labor to try and justify to you why they are doing nothing and letting this happen. Don’t let them continue to hide behind their Liberal colleagues.

The Liberal government may be a lost cause because they are so firmly in the clenches of the AFL.

But Labor can, and should, oppose the stadium. They can use their numbers combined with the crossbench to put an end to this fiasco.

If they want us to believe they are a credible alternative government then they need to stop rubber stamping stupid projects like this, stop being Liberal lite, and start acting like an opposition.

There is no better way to do this than by standing up to the AFL bullies, opposing the stadium and putting Tasmanians first!

Comment – Senator Tammy Tyrrell, independent Senator for Tasmania, 25 February 2025

STADIUM POLL NO SURPRISE

“In news that surprises absolutely no one, Tasmanians don’t want a new stadium at Macquarie Point.

“It’s time for the Tas Liberals to drop this pie in the sky idea and spend the money on something that Tassie actually needs.

“More social housing would be a great place to start. We could build 1000 homes and more for the price of the stadium.

“The Tas Liberals say they can build the stadium and deliver essential services at the same time. The latest budget forecast says they can’t.”