A new poll has reconfirmed that a strong majority of Tasmanians are against a new AFL stadium in Hobart at Macquarie Point.

The YouGov survey shows overwhelming support for the proposition that the AFL deal is unfair to Tasmania and that it should be renegotiated.

The results are provided below.

Media release – The Australia Institute, 23 June 2025

Whether for or against the stadium, Tasmanians overwhelmingly feel dudded by the AFL – poll

Regardless of who wins the July 19 state election, Tasmanians overwhelmingly want the government to rip up the dud stadium deal with the AFL.

A new poll, conducted for The Australia Institute, reveals more than two-thirds of Tasmanians believe the stadium deal is unfair and want Parliament to stand up to the AFL and negotiate a new deal.

The YouGov poll of 842 voters asked the extent to which voters agreed or disagreed with the statement “The AFL is treating Tasmania unfairly in its requirements for granting Tasmania a license to join the national competition”.

  • 69% agreed
  • 21% disagreed
  • More Labor voters (72%) than Liberal voters (60%) agreed
  • More men (72%) than women (65%) agreed

Voters were also asked the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the statement “The Tasmanian Parliament should renegotiate with the AFL to avoid building a new stadium”.

  • 69% agreed
  • 27% disagreed
  • The same percentage (69%) of women and men agreed
  • More Labor voters (71%) than Liberal voters (56%) agreed

“The stadium deal is a dud. Tasmanians are rightly appalled at the way they’ve been treated by the AFL,” said Leanne Minshull, Strategy Director at The Australia Institute.

“Whoever wins the state election on July 19 must stand up to the AFL and stand up for Tasmanians.

This state deserves to have a team in the AFL, but Tassie taxpayers don’t want to be on the hook for a billion-dollar indoor stadium they don’t want.

“The AFL has put a gun to the head of Tasmanians and now it’s sitting back, refusing to negotiate on the most terrible, one-sided deal in Australian sport.

“When you consider everything that Tasmania has done for footy for more than a century, this is shameful treatment by the AFL, which claims to support grass-roots football.”

Media release – Rebekah Pentland, independent MHA for Bass, 23 June 2025

CONTENT IS KING: MAJOR PARTIES MUST COMMIT TO MAXIMISING UTAS STADIUM

Bass independent Rebekah Pentland has called on the Liberals and Labor to support extending Hawthorn’s partnership with Tasmania beyond 2027.

“We can’t afford to take our eye off the ball, ” Mrs Pentland said.

“While the major parties are fixated on a new stadium we can’t afford in Hobart, we’ve got a fantastic venue in Launceston that needs guaranteed content.

“We’re about to spend $130 million upgrading UTAS Stadium so we’ve got to make sure the content matches the investment.

“Hawthorn’s 25-year partnership with Tasmania has been critical for the northern economy. The Hawks have more than 7000 Tasmanian members. It makes economic sense to keep that relationship strong.

“If we don’t reach a new agreement with Hawthorn, another part of the country will. We know Cairns is very interested in the Hawks. It would be a shame to see our economic opportunity lost to another state.

“I’d like both major parties to commit to extending the Hawthorn agreement beyond 2027. It might not take the same level of State Government investment that we’ve seen in the past. There’s a variety of ways we maintain the relationship, but it will need buy-in from whoever governs after July 19.

“Launceston City Council has been proactive in its engagement with Hawthorn, but the next State Government needs to show the same enthusiasm.

“The economy depends on a steady stream of events and the Hawks at UTAS Stadium is a proven winner.”

Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock speaks with former VFL footballer Brent Crosswell

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