Several Legislative Council Members have reacted strongly to the Premier’s urging them to pass legislation – as yet unseen – regarding the contentious Macquarie Point stadium proposal.

Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor characterised Jeremy Rockliff’s behaviour as tantamount to ‘deception, manipulation and now emotional blackmail.’

Independnt MLC for Elwick Bec Thomas said that it’s ‘disrespectful to the intelligence of Tasmanians to try to trick them into believing responsibility for the AFL team lies with MPs who had no involvement in signing the deal with the AFL that mandated it.’

North-western independent Ruth Forrest stated that if the team and stadium fail to materialise it ‘will clearly reflect the government’s mishandling of such an important matter from the outset and the unwillingness to listen to voices outside their echo chamber.’

Meanwhile Braddon MHA Craig Garland’s motion to bring on a public vote on the stadium was unsuccessful.

The SFF Party put out a reminder that their candidates for Pembroke and Montgomery are against the stadium.

Read their statements below.

Media release – Cassy O’Connor MLC, Greens Member for Hobart, 7 May 2025

Rockliff’s MLC Blackmail Attempt

Jeremy Rockliff is attempting to ram through his unpopular stadium at all costs. Today, he’s threatening MLCs that the POSS process will end if they don’t vote for his vanity project – and claiming they will kill Tasmania’s AFL/AFLW team.

With Labor’s capitulation on the stadium, the Premier’s attempt at blackmail is clearly targeted at independent MLCs.

The Liberals are trying to smash this multi-billion dollar development through using every trick in the book – deception, manipulation and now emotional blackmail. It shows contempt for both Houses of Parliament, and the people we are elected to represent.

The Premier hasn’t explained how he will follow through on his unveiled threat.

Has he explained himself to his masters at the AFL? If Parliament exercises its right and authority to reject this fast-track approval, is the Premier going to pull the POSS, spit the dummy and blame everyone else?

Upper House members take their jobs as legislators very seriously, and carefully scrutinise every piece of law before them. This enabling legislation is for the biggest, most complex, expensive and unpopular infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history.

No Tasmanian MP or MLC has the experience or knowledge to assess and approve this project. It is shocking that we’re being asked to.

Instead of making threats, the Premier should be preparing for a democratic vote that may not go his way, pick up the phone to the AFL’s CEO and fight to keep the Devils.

Helen Burnet MP, Greens Planning spokesperson, 7 May 2025

Rockliff Won’t Rule Out Ministerial Role in Stadium Approval

The Rockliff Government looks set to stoop to yet another new low when it comes to the stadium, by giving one of their Minister’s a central role in the project’s approval.

In a briefing with the Department of Premier and Cabinet on Monday, the Greens were told the government is actively considering giving a Minister the power to oversee and enforce the conditions placed on the stadium, if it is approved by Parliament.

We twice asked the Premier to rule out this absurd and outrageous possibility in Parliament. Alarmingly, he would not do so.

This is a deeply disturbing prospect. Given the government’s “build at all costs” approach, there is no way any Minister could be trusted to honestly make sure these crucial conditions are being met.

Going ahead with this approach would be like a member of the public getting plans for building a house approved by their local council, the council giving them a bunch of conditions they have to meet, but then saying it’s up to the owner to make sure they have done the job properly.

There is no way anyone – even the Premier – believes Eric Abetz, or any other Minister, would be unbiased in making big decisions about the stadium, especially given the tight timeframes the government has signed up to, and the fact they are pursuing the stadium at all costs.

As if any member of the government would make a decision that might set back delivery of this project. There is no doubt they would simply take a ‘tick and flick’ approach, giving the go ahead no matter how bad a problem might be.

Giving a politician final sign-off on key parts of the stadium would be the government’s worst corruption of process yet.

The Premier must not go down this road. He needs to ensure the bill that comes to Parliament does not include any element of Ministerial discretion, sign-off, or ability to modify plans.

Media release – Bec Thomas, MLC for Elwick, 7 May 2025

THOMAS UNPERTURBED BY STADIUM PRESSURE

The way the Government is approaching its communication with MPs and the people of Tasmania on the stadium, one could wonder whether they are trying to get the stadium built or hoping to see it go down among a sea of shifted blame.

It’s disrespectful to the intelligence of Tasmanians to try to trick them into believing responsibility for the AFL team lies with MPs who had no involvement in signing the deal with the AFL that mandated it.

However, the Premier’s comments regarding the future of the POSS process have no impact on my decision making.

We know we’re going to have enabling legislation to consider but, right now, we don’t have a draft bill so we can only speculate on what it might or might not include. While we wait, I’m doing everything I can to inform myself on the stadium and the team.

My decision will be based on whether there is sufficient information to demonstrate the stadium can be built at Macquarie Point and a clear plan on how the Government intends to pay for it.

I will also need to understand how infrastructure associated with the stadium will be funded, including not just the northern access road and other projects referred to in the MPDC’s submission, but also the northern suburbs transit corridor and more community sports facilities.

I stand firm on my position that I support Government investment in high performance sporting infrastructure only if it is also adequately investing in community sporting facilities. I really hope the budget reflects this, so no child misses out on the opportunity to play sport.

I’m also concerned that the transport plan doesn’t include the northern suburbs transit corridor, as I believe the long-awaited activation of transport on this corridor will be critical if locals are able to access the stadium.

I will continue to read reports, talk to relevant stakeholders and listen to the people I represent to help inform my decision on whether a stadium at Macquarie Point is in the best interests of Tasmanians.

Facebook post – Ruth Forrest, MLC for Murchison, 7 May 2025

— untitled —

The Premier’s recent statements as quoted in the media – “Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has issued an ultimatum to upper house MPs ahead of a vote on special legislation that would enable an AFL stadium on Hobart’s waterfront, saying a Tasmanian AFL team won’t go ahead unless the legislation passes” are inappropriate, unwelcome and verging on unlawful.

I have been in this position before when a former Minister for Infrastructure threatened me with loss of funding for my electorate if I didn’t support amendments he hadn’t even shared with me and vote with the government. Such tactics are ineffective, disrespectful and insulting.

Threats, intimidation and coercion are unacceptable in any setting. I urge the Premier to tone done the threats and intimidation as it is bordering on the unlawful.

The State’s Criminal Code Act 1924 states in section 70(1) “Any person who, by force or fraud, or by threats or intimidation of any kind, interferes with the free exercise by either House of Parliament of its authority, or with the free exercise by any Member of either House of his duty or authority as such Member, is guilty of a crime.”

I have a duty to the people who elected me and the people of Tasmania as a whole. I am elected to fully consider any, and all, legislation that comes before our House. I always seek to do that diligently and consider both (or all sides) of a matter and listen to differing voices. In this case, I am absolutely doing this. I have done this respectfully listening to differing views within and outside my electorate.

I have also raised for many years my concerns for the State’s financial position and the absolute failure of the government, and opposition, to put forward any meaningful pathway to budget sustainability. Rather, the government have continued to spend more and more, including on necessary services and welcome infrastructure but without and plan for fiscal sustainability or responsible budgeting.

This has been absolutely compounded by two early elections and approximately $1.4 billion in pork being promised at each election from the pork barrel. I am not suggesting all these election commitments were not important but in the absence of seeking votes at the two early elections, there may well have been less spending and more strategic spending. Sadly there is no similar approach being taken to responsibly budget.

The matter of the stadium, as a requirement of the agreement was not taken to an election before the agreement was signed – it did not even go to Cabinet. At the second early election, the Premier promised a hard spending cap suggesting the stadium could be build for the promised amount of $375m and not a cent more when seeking votes in 2023. To now admit it will cost more and Tasmanian taxpayers will be up for the extra is dishonest and misleading.

I support our team – we are part of a nation that has a national competition and Tasmania is a foundational, grassroots AFL state. We absolutely have our own team. It cannot be at any cost especially when we have so many other important needs in our State, a small population base and stretched financial position.

I will not be threatened, coerced or bullied into blindly accepting or agreeing to a piece of legislation I am yet to see, a full cost to Tasmanians I am yet to see, the impact on the State budget and financial position, I am yet to see and information that I can be assured will address all the concerns raised by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which I am yet to see and a plan to repair the budget, which I am yet to see. I will continue to do my work diligently; be evidence based and take a whole of State consideration as I also listen to my own electorate on a very significant decision. I will consider the benefits to the State as well as the risks. I believe this is why I have been elected to parliament and returned 3 times.

Finally, I will not accept any blame for any failures that may occur related to the success or otherwise of the team and any stadium that may or may not be built. Any such failure will clearly reflect the government’s mishandling of such an important matter from the outset and the unwillingness to listen to voices outside their echo chamber. Any blame will lie solidly at the feet of this government and the Premier who signed the agreement, not other Members who are doing the job they were elected for do. It seems nothing has been learnt from the devastating outcome of the Federal election for the Liberal Party where the blame lies at the feet of its former Leader and party itself.


Media release – Craig Garland MP Independent for Braddon, 7 May 2025

Garland stands strong against the tide for the Tasmanian community voice to be heard on Macquarie Point Stadium

Tasmania has missed out on a big opportunity to be heard, following today’s vote on my stadium referendum motion, where the major parties again teamed up to deny the community a genuine voice.

During Parliament today, I moved a motion calling on the Government to bring forward legislation to give Tasmanians a vote on whether they supported the Government’s Macquarie Point Stadium proposal.

The motion was lost after the Government and the Labor Party united to vote against it.

The Liberal Party and Premier Rockliff have again showed their complete ignorance and disregard for the community opposition to the stadium. Good governance is about listening to the community, not the Government pretending it knows best.

Even the Federal Liberal team considered dropping their support for the stadium during the election campaign. Premier Rockliff will now need to watch his back inside the party room, as his colleagues begin to question his leadership following waning support for his unpopular stadium idea.

Despite putting forward a similar motion in 2022 calling for a referendum on the stadium, it was clear from the Labor party vote today they have abandoned their position of giving voters a say on this project, just like they abandoned their opposition to the stadium after the last election.

Three cross bench members supported my motion, and I thank Rebekah Pentland MP who approached this with heart and the community in mind, as well as Miriam Beswick MP and Andrew Jenner MP for their solidarity in this vote.

I will continue to put the community first as Independent for Braddon, regardless of the outcome of a Parliamentary debate, and I will continue to be an independent voice for my electorate.

It does not matter what your view is on the Mac Point stadium, Tasmanians deserve to be heard, and a single-issue referendum was a great way to do that.

The overwhelming feedback I have received from the community over the past year is opposition to the stadium. I will continue to push for appropriate use of tax-payer funds as we face record high government debt, and push the government to reconsider this dud deal forced on us by the AFL.

The final division results from the vote were:

FOR: 4 – Craig Garland MP, Rebekah Pentland MP, Miriam Beswick MP, Andrew Jenner JLN MP

AGAINST: 30 – Liberal MPs, Labor MPs, David O’Byrne MP, Greens MPs, & Kristie Johnston MP

Media release – SFF, 8 May 2025

Something Doesn’t Add Up: Tasmania Deserves the Truth

Tasmanians are being taken for a ride.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has issued a blunt ultimatum: pass ‘special legislation’ or lose the AFL team. But rather than bullying the Upper House, the government should be honest with the public. Where is the transparency? Where is the accountability?

This debate is about more than football—it’s about how public money is spent, and whether we make decisions based on facts or political spin. Tasmania deserves evidence-based policy, not pressure tactics and half-truths.

Independent, taxpayer-funded economic reports have consistently found the proposed stadium to be financially unviable. History shows that large-scale public projects often blow out in both cost and timeline. Yet the government is asking us to ignore the facts, trust their word, and take on decades of financial risk. That’s not leadership—it’s recklessness.

The Liberal government, with Labor’s silent consent, is ploughing ahead despite mounting concerns. It’s not too late to change course. If the stadium is truly essential to Tasmania’s AFL future, then let Tasmanians decide.

We urge the people of Tasmania to treat the May 24 Upper House elections as a de facto plebiscite. A vote for candidates who oppose the stadium is a vote for common sense, transparency, and putting the needs of Tasmanians first.

Let’s demand straight answers—not backroom deals, not moving goalposts. Tasmania deserves leadership that respects evidence, public input, and fiscal responsibility.

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