Article
United Front Calls on AFL to Meet Over Stadium’s Future
A cross-section of elected representatives has issued an urgent, united call for the AFL to meet with a delegation this month following the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) finding that the Macquarie Point stadium “should not proceed.”
Led by Independent MLC Meg Webb, the representatives are demanding the AFL accept its “corporate responsibility” to hear the community’s concerns, arguing that the stadium demand is “simply unconscionable” given the state’s soaring public debt and the struggling essential services, with their core message being – “Drop the stadium. Back the team.”
Media release – Meg Webb MLC, independent member for Nelson, 17 October 2025
Call for AFL to Meet with Tassie Elected Reps’ Delegation
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today joined forces with Tasmanian representatives from all tiers of government seeking an urgent meeting with the AFL to discuss the ramifications of the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s findings regarding the Macquarie Point stadium.
“It is simply a responsible course of action for Tasmanians’ elected representatives to discuss the TPC’s verdict on the unsuitability of the Macquarie Point stadium with the AFL as a major stakeholder in that proposal, to ensure the range and depth of community concerns and objections held by the people we represent are heard and are understood,” Webb said.
“It would be an equally responsible step for the AFL to agree to this request to meet and engage with a Tasmanian delegation of elected reps.
“It is a safe assumption the AFL is hearing a positive tale from the Rockliff Government and supporters of the Macquarie Point stadium.
“But there is too much is at stake for us to assume the full implications of the TPC’s findings have been clearly and comprehensively presented to the AFL.
“I have a clear responsibility on behalf of the many in my electorate who have raised informed and substantive concerns, to do my utmost to ensure the AFL is fully briefed on those concerns.”
Webb was a signatory to an initial joint letter sent to the AFL in June before this year’s snap election.
“It is disappointing the AFL chose to ignore the earlier request to meet with a Tasmanian delegation consisting of a range of Tasmanian elected representatives.
“However, the release of the TPC’s findings provides a further logical opportunity for the AFL to engage with the proposed delegation in good faith.”
Media release – Kristie Johnston, MHA, independent member for Clark, 17 October 2025
United call for AFL meeting over stadium – COALITION OF COMMONSENSE
I’m one of the many elected representatives who’ve signed a letter to AFL chief Andrew Dillion requesting a meeting this month to explain the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) report on the stadium.
It’s said the price of greatness is responsibility. The AFL aspires to greatness.
It must rise to accept its corporate responsibility and meet with the delegation, Tassie’s custodians of commonsense.
The AFL knows it has a duty to act in a way that benefits society, not just make profit.
It can’t sneak along hiding behind the lead of reckless politicians and avoid its responsibility.
It should instead acknowledge and respond itself to the enormous work of the TPC experts who are trusted with acting in Tasmanian society’s best interest.
The TPC said – “The project should not proceed”.
I call on the AFL to meet the delegation and respond to it and the TPC report as a responsible corporate citizen.
The meeting with Mr Dillon has been requested for October 27, 2025.
Media release – Peter George, MHA, independent member for Franklin, 17 October 2025
Tassie’s elected representatives say NO to the AFL’s demands
The AFL’s demand for a roofed stadium at a cost of several billion dollars in return for a Tasmanian team is simply unconscionable when health, education and housing services are struggling and public debt soars towards $13 billion.
The AFL knows that Tasmanians deserve a team and that over the decades we have delivered top players to the league and that alone justifies our inclusion.
The AFL needs to hear the voices of Tasmanian representatives who speak on behalf of the majority of Tasmanians who clearly do not want the stadium to go ahead but would support a team.
To drive the state into ever deeper debt when the government is already borrowing $800 million a year just to pay for its operational expenses is unacceptable.
If the AFL accepts that now is not the right time to drive the state into ever more debt and that Macquarie Point is the wrong place for a massively expensive roofed stadium, then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t revisit the contract.
Drop the stadium. Back the team.
Media release – Vica Bayley MHA, Greens Sports Spokesperson, 17 October 2025
Representatives Request Stadium Meeting With AFL
Representatives from across the political spectrum have written to the AFL CEO requesting a meeting on the untenable stadium condition in the Devils’ license agreement, off the back of the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s report.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission was clear – the stadium should not go ahead. The economic cost to Tasmanians will be catastrophic and the negative impacts on the city of Hobart will be irrevocable.
Despite expert warnings, the Liberals are hell bent on pushing forward with the stadium. It’s because the condition in the AFL’s license agreement for the Devils requires the building of this stadium. Jeremy Rockliff won’t even try to stand up to the AFL and renegotiate this condition.
The AFL never should’ve dictated this stadium be built at Macquarie Point in the first place, but to continue to to do so despite independent planning experts’ recommendation against is completely unacceptable.
It’s corporate overreach on a massive scale. Tasmanians are so passionate about the Devils team and they will make it a success. But they’ve made it crystal clear they don’t want a stadium. The AFL is holding them to ransom. No other state had to spend more than a billion dollars on a stadium to get a team.
When Tasmania’s budget is in a mess and there’s so many problems in this state that need fixing, we just can’t afford it.
Tasmanians are already struggling to find an affordable home and access the healthcare they need – any services cuts to pay off the $2 billion stadium debt will have disastrous impacts.
This delegation of representatives from across the political spectrum has come together to stand up to the AFL.
It’s time the AFL listened to the expert recommendation of the Planning Commission, to elected representatives and to the majority of Tasmanians who oppose this stadium.
The letter to the AFL CEO is here.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.