Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC successfully moved a motion in the Legislative Council today to establish a Select Committee that will compel the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) Expert Panel to appear before the Upper House.
This committee’s sole purpose is to provide a transparent and open examination of the TPC’s Final Integrated Assessment Report regarding the contentious Macquarie Point Stadium proposal, allowing MPs to directly question the independent body before debating the Government’s Order.
Media release – Meg Webb MLC, independent for Nelson, 4 November 2025
Upper House Passes Motion to Call Tasmanian Planning Commission Expert Panel
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today welcomed the Legislative Council’s support for her move to establish a dedicated parliamentary committee with the sole purpose of hearing from the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) on its Final Integrated Assessment Report of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.
“This vote now means the Legislative Council can hear directly from the TPC in an appropriate and transparent manner as part of our deliberations leading up to the Upper House’s debate on the government’s Macquarie Point Stadium Order,” Webb said.
“In various public commentary by Government and during briefings, many assertions have been made regarding apparent limitations of, or issues arising from the Integrated Assessment Report but MPs have had no way to ground-check those matters with the Expert Panel.
“Upon advice, and to prevent any risk of perceived politicization of the independent TPC, convening a specific Select Parliamentary Committee will provide the appropriate mechanism for Members to raise directly with the independent Expert Panel matters arising from its Final Integrated Assessment Report of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.
“This specific Select Committee will ensure all Members of the Upper House can thoroughly fulfil their due diligence and scrutiny responsibilities in preparation for our debate on the government’s Stadium Order next month, by ensuring we hear from the independent TPC Expert Panel along with all the other stakeholder briefings we are receiving.”
Webb said the next steps will be for the new parliamentary committee to set a date and time for a formal public hearing, to which the independent TPC Expert Panel will be summonsed to appear before.
“The motion specifies the Legislative Council Committee is to report by 2 December this year, before it is scheduled to debate the government’s Stadium Order.
“On behalf of those in our community who want and deserve a rigorous, transparent and equitable debate, I thank my Upper House colleagues for their support in establishing this specific Select Committee to help inform our deliberations.”
Media release – Meg Webb MLC, independent for Nelson, 4 November 2025
Moves for Tasmanian Planning Commission to Appear Before Upper House re Macquarie Point Stadium Final Report
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb will today move for the Upper House to establish a Parliamentary Committee with the sole purpose of hearing from the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) on its Final Integrated Assessment Report of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.
If passed, Webb’s motion will see a specific committee formed with the sole purpose of providing a transparent and open examination of the Final Integrated Assessment Report, and to hear from the TPC Expert Panel on the content of, and processes undertaken to inform, the Report.
§ It is intended the Legislative Council Committee would report by 2 December this year, before the Upper House is scheduled to debate the government’s Order.
§ With debate imminent on the State Government’s proposed Order to proceed with the contentious Macquarie Point AFL-stadium, Members of Parliament have received numerous briefings from a range of stakeholders.
§ However, the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) has been unable to brief independent MPs or parties, despite the government asserting flaws or limitations with the independent Expert Panel’s Final Assessment Report, due to the risk of perceived politicisation of this independent body.
§ Upon advice, the formal convening of a specific Select Parliamentary Committee which calls for the TPC to appear is the appropriate mechanism available, by which to put to the independent Expert Panel matters arising from its Project of State Significance Final Integrated Assessment Report of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.
Webb’s motion to establish this specific Select Committee will be debated today during the Legislative Council’s Private Members Business. There is not a set time for the debate’s commencement so an update will be provided when the motion is debated and voted upon.
Text of Webb’s motion:
That a Select Committee be appointed, with power to send for persons, with leave to sit during any adjournment of the Council, and with leave to adjourn from place to place, to be informed by the members of the Tasmanian Planning Commission independent expert assessment panel (the Panel) that assessed the Macquarie Point Multi Purpose stadium proposal with regard to:
a) The Panel’s Integrated Assessment Report, dated September 2025, and Recommendation Report dated September 2025 (the Reports),
b) The content, findings and recommendations in the Reports,
c) The methodologies the Panel used in conducting their assessment, and
d) The data and evidence the Panel relied upon in making their assessment, findings and recommendations.
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.
