Stadium Battle – The Fight Continues After Approval

The approval of the Macquarie Point stadium order by the Tasmanian Parliament has triggered contrasting reactions with the Greens vowing to continue the fight against the “stadium austerity” and misplaced spending, while the Liberal Government and Labor welcome the decision, declaring it’s time to build the “game-changer” infrastructure, citing job creation and the long-awaited AFL team as key benefits.

Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader; Cassy O’Connor MLC, Greens Member for Hobart, ​​​​​​5 December 2025

The Stadium Fight Is Not Over

Cassy O’Connor MLC, Greens Member for Hobart
Last night, the Liberals, Labor and four independent MLCs voted to consign Tasmanians to generations of stadium austerity. They voted to support a multi-billion dollar stadium through a corrupted process at a time when the state is already crippled by debt.

They ignored the independent experts and put the commercial interests of the AFL over the wellbeing of the Tasmanian people. It’s the Tasmanian people, of course, who will pay for this decision as services are slashed, public sector jobs are cut and taxes are hiked up.

That’s why so many thousands of people got in touch with us in recent weeks, strongly urging us to reject the Order. They know, we know, that Tasmania simply cannot afford this stadium. It’ll be a massive, money-sucking black hole in the contaminated dust of Macquarie Point.

Labor and those independents who voted this through will never again be able to criticise the government for its misplaced spending priorities, as the blank cheque they’ve written for the Liberals and the AFL makes them culpable. Stadium austerity – that will be their legacy.

The Greens, meanwhile, won’t give up the fight. We’ll keep standing with and for those many, many Tasmanians who know this island and its people deserve better.

Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader
The stadium order has gone through Parliament, but the fight is not over. The stadium is a long way from being built.

The Greens won’t abandon Tasmanians who are appalled at the decision to trade away critical funding needed for essential health, housing and community services to build an unnecessary stadium.

Let’s not forget – the Pulp Mill legislation went through Parliament, but it was never built. The power of Tasmanians is strong, and the Greens are standing with the majority who don’t support this stadium.

The development has massive problems, it’s still not finally designed, and the costs will obviously just keep rising. The Premier recently said he won’t “be beholden” to $1.13 billion, and has already broken his red line in the sand promise of $375 million.

The Greens have been a consistent voice for the community against spending on a third stadium since day one. We will keep fighting all the way down the line to make sure our debt-ridden budget focuses on funding essential services instead of a stadium we can’t afford and don’t need.

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff MHA, Premier; Eric Abetz MHA, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, 5 December 2025

Time to get on with the job of building Mac Point

The job of building the Macquarie Point stadium begins now.

Next steps on the project begin tomorrow, with two requests for tenders being released to commence bulk excavations on the site and to carefully pack down The Goods Shed.

The Tasmanian Government is proud to join Macquarie Point Development Corporation and Master Builders on this historic day.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said today, we move forward as a state.

“Together, we will turn this wasteland into a hive of economic activity that will strengthen our State for decades to come,” Rockliff said.

“To everyone who questioned this project over the past three years, we thank you. Each question has made this project stronger, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

“From our events sector, to business conferences and professional sport, the Mac Point stadium will be a game-changer for our state.

“Now, it is time to get this done.

“It’s time to come together and make sure this stadium is the very best it can be.”

The Macquarie Point Stadium will have a 24,500 capacity in sports mode, 31,500 for major concert events and a 1500-person function room.

Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, Eric Abetz, said our Government is investing in Tasmania’s future.

“Intergenerational infrastructure will support Tasmanians for generations to come,” Abetz said.

“We have seen the benefits of major infrastructure projects like Bridgewater Bridge, the new Brighton High School, the redeveloped Penguin District School and the new Legana Primary School.

“This is exactly what Mac Point will be for our State – it will deliver 1500 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing, it will help keep our record economy strong, and support the one in six Tasmanians employed in the tourism and hospitality industry.”

An expression of interest process for the lead construction contractor will open in January.

Master Builders Tasmania CEO Jenna Cairney said the “yes” vote to support the Macquarie Point Stadium has lit the fuse for confidence and investment across Tasmania’s building and construction industry.

“The cheers on building sites across the state would give footy fans on Grand Final day a run for their money, it was enough to lift the roof off a stadium,” Cairney said.

“There’s an unreal sense of elation and optimism out there, and most importantly there is an overwhelming swell of pride and confidence that’s been missing for too long.

“This is more than just a vote for a stadium, this is a vote for investment, a vote for jobs, and a vote for a future in Tasmania for our building and construction workers.

“This has always been about more than just timber, bricks and mortar, this is an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen our industry and shape the next generation of builders.

“The stadium alone is estimated to create 600 building jobs, with a peak workforce of 450 on site, and one in five of those could be apprentices.”

Media release – Josh Willie MHA, Labor Leader, 5 December 2025

Stadium order approval welcome, now the Liberals have to deliver

Labor welcomes Parliament’s approval of the order to allow for construction of the Macquarie Point stadium, and the jobs, economic opportunity and AFL & AFLW teams it will bring.

Now the order has passed parliament, it’s up to Premier Rockliff to build the stadium, and Labor will be holding him to account for his delivery.

The Premier has taken Tasmanians on a long, challenging and unnecessarily divisive journey to get to this point, and I hope the divisions he’s opened up are able to heal.

I also hope the vision and extraordinary opportunity that this project presents becomes clearer to more Tasmanians now the vote has passed.

With this project comes the AFL teams that Tasmania has fought for for generations, and it’s going to be a great day when the Devils finally run out onto the field.

The stadium will create thousands of exciting new jobs in construction, the sports industry, and events management; boost the confidence of our tourism and hospitality industries to invest, and realise a dream held by so many Tasmanians, for so long, to see us take our rightful place in the AFL.

Just because the Rockliff Government has a poor track record in delivering major projects, doesn’t mean that Tasmania should stop building major projects and not realise opportunities like the one in front of us.

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