Nationals Urge Upper House to Dump $1.5 Billion Stadium

Media release – Rick Mandelson, Party Chair. Tasmanian Nationals, 26 November 2025

TASMANIAN NATIONALS URGE STADIUM DUMP

The Tasmanian Nationals today urged the Legislative Council to dump the disastrous Macquarie Point stadium.

Newly elected State President Rick Mandelson said the Nationals stood four-square for the public interest and the stadium was not in the interests of Tasmanian taxpayers.

”The Nationals opposed the Macquarie Point stadium at the State Election, and the state’s deteriorating financial position means our concerns have only increased since then.

”This week’s disclosure of another mega-million black hole linked to the stadium – this time for cricket – should be the last straw for MLCs.

”The ‘world class’ centre of excellence and cricket academy at Seven Mile Beach will add at least another $100 million to taxpayers’ exposure.

”The full bill for the stadium, football and cricket is already nearing $1.5 billion and will blow out a lot further when building cost inflation kicks in if it is approved.”

Mandelson strongly supported development and jobs, but not at any cost.

”The Budget is in a huge mess. We’re heading for our third billion-dollar deficit in a row.

“We can’t even pay for essential services like police, health and education without running up enormous debts.

”Taxpayers are struggling. The TCCI’s concerns about the Macquarie Point costs should be heeded rather than dismissed out of hand.

”The private sector has proposed an alternative which it says would limit the Tasmanian taxpayers’ exposure to the Premier’s $375 million and not one red cent more.

”The TCCI call for that project to be seriously considered and should be on the table, rather than the socialist rush to the fully publicly funded money pit at Macquarie Point.”

Mandelson urged the Minister in charge of the project, Eric Abetz, to stand up for his long-standing commitment to responsible financial management.

”As a long-standing Senator for Tasmania, Eric Abetz told Federal Parliament that: ‘tickling people’s ears, getting their votes and spending their money (was) contemptible, shallow and dishonest’ and that ‘it is absolutely reprehensible when this generation of leadership seeks to maintain its standard of living at the expense of the next generation, which will have to repay that debt with interest’.

“As Treasurer, Mr Abetz now has the chance to put up or shut up. If he persists in abandoning his financial principles, the Legislative Council should put the public interest first and dump the stadium for him.”

Image courtesy Philip Bohle, documentary photographer.

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