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Stadium Debate Reveals Political Division
As the Legislative Council begin their debate on the Order for a stadium at Macquarie Point the divisions within the Tasmanian political landscape and community are ever present. The included perspectives from Our Place Hobart (Community Advocates), Eric Abetz MHA, Kristie Johnston MHA and Bec Thomas MLC detail the ongoing campaign against the stadium, the Government’s united front with unions, the Labor party’s grassroots revolt and the conditional support of a key independent Legislative Council member. Rosalie Woodruff reminds us of Rockliff’s election promise of “not a red cent more”.
Media release – Bec Thomas MLC, independent Member for Elwick, 3 December 2025
BEC THOMAS MLC TO SUPPORT MACQUARIE POINT STADIUM WITH STRICT SAFEGUARDS
Independent Member for Elwick, Bec Thomas MLC, today announced her support for the Project of State Significance (Macquarie Point) Order 2025, conditional on the Government’s agreement to comprehensive safeguards designed to protect Tasmanians’ interests.
“This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Thomas said.
“With all my heart I have wanted to support this project. But I remain deeply aware of the community’s mixed feelings about it. Many Tasmanians are worried about the cost, location, and whether the benefits will truly flow to local people. Those concerns are valid.
“All the public focus has been on who will back the stadium. For me, the question has been under what conditions could it possibly earn support. That’s why my support for the project is strictly conditional on economic, governance, design and community safeguards that seek to protect the welfare of Tasmanians.
Thomas said she had secured the Government’s commitment to safeguards including:
- A fixed cost cap on the State’s contribution, of $875m.
- An Independent watchdog – oversight by an independent probity adviser as part of the project Governance, Oversight and Assurance Framework.
- A Design Quality and Integrity Review Panel with independent experts to provide advice on final design and that advice to be published.
- Levelling the score for grassroots sport – including restoring participation funding levels, increasing the funding pool for community sport infrastructure to $105m over four years, a sport infrastructure plan and a framework for government investment in sport.
- Local benefit guarantees – including targets to be set for Tasmanian jobs and local suppliers, a plan to ensure all Tasmanians can access the stadium, and commitments to activating the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor and expanding the Derwent River Ferry Service.
The agreement will be tabled in the Parliament, with accountability for honouring the commitments to be reported through the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Oversight Committee and Public Accounts Committee.
“These are protections for Tasmanians,” Thomas said.
“I believe they are measures Tasmanians would want to see to have confidence in the project and be reassured the community will not be worse off.
“As with any major infrastructure project, it’s the government’s responsibility to plan, fund and deliver it effectively – and Tasmanians rightly expect proper oversight and scrutiny is part of that.
“Accordingly, I’m voting for a set of safeguards that protect the community and the public purse as the Government delivers a significant infrastructure project it has determined to be a priority for Tasmania.”
Thomas said she has long called on the Government to level the score when it comes to investment in professional and community sport.
“My support for government investment in high performance sporting infrastructure has always been conditional on it also adequately funding community sport,” Thomas said.
“These safeguards ensure grassroots sport receives the attention and funding it deserves. They ensure Hobart is place where you can not only watch sport – you can play it too.”
Thomas said she acknowledged there is still risk and uncertainty associated with the project.
“The economic and social benefits of a stadium and AFL team are extremely difficult to quantify with certainty. Any investment of this scale is, in part, a gamble – if we never take this opportunity, we will never know.
“So, the risk must be balanced with safeguards: we owe it to all Tasmanians, particularly the most vulnerable, to ensure conditions and protections are in place.”
Thomas acknowledged the deep division in the community over the project.
“Polling shows Tasmanians are split on this stadium – across Tasmania around 40 per cent support it, 60 per cent oppose it. In my electorate it’s closer to 50-50.
“I thank those who have reached out to me on this and assure them I’ve listened carefully to all perspectives.”
“The Tasmanian Planning Commission found this project would ‘diminish the economic welfare of Tasmanians.’ That finding deeply troubles me. But with the majority of Parliament supporting this project, I’ve focused on securing safeguards to protect Tasmanians as much as possible.”
Thomas was critical of the Government’s handling of the process.
“This Government has not covered itself in glory through this process. It dismissed expert concerns, ignored community feedback, and only took me seriously when it realised project approval was on shaky ground. I’ve been raising concerns about project governance since May they fell on deaf ears until last week.”
Despite supporting the Order, Thomas emphasised that should it be approved, planning approval does not guarantee project delivery.
“This Order is only the first step. The Government must then prove it can meet the conditions and deliver this stadium within budget.
“I stand ready to hold them to account every step of the way, as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and on the floor of Parliament.”
Thomas also called for unity and healing.
“I acknowledge the passion with which people have argued their position on the stadium – both for and against, and I think it’s a great shame that realising the dream of a Tasmanian AFL team has been so overshadowed by the division in the community, as evidenced by the rallies over the past two weekends.
“Whatever the outcome, we need to come together as a state now. That needs to be our focus.”
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 3 December 2025
$375M… Wait… $875M and Not a Red Cent More
Is this the biggest broken promise in Tasmanian political history? It’s got to be up there.
At the 2024 election, Jeremy Rockliff made an iron-clad commitment to the Tasmanian people – government investment on the stadium would be capped at $375 million and not a red cent more.
Here we are, 18 months later, and now there’s a new cost cap promise – $875 million.
Jeremy Rockliff has broken his promise by a massive $500 million.
If the Premier had any integrity, he would admit he’s gone back on his commitment and apologise to the people of Tasmania.
Given the Premier’s form, how can anyone trust his new commitment to cap costs at $875 million?
Media release – Roland Browne, spokesperson, Our Place Hobart, 3 December 2025
Our Place public statement – 3 December 2025
If a decision is made by a majority of the Tasmanian Upper House this week to permit the stadium at Mac Point in Hobart, it will not be the end of the campaign against this odious stadium.
Far from it.
While the stadium may pass the parliament, the fight against it is only gearing up.
Groups are already forming to fight this proposal in new ways. People are angry.
And that’s because the massive problems the stadium creates will only worsen along with the state budget, as the full extent of this disastrous proposal and its impact on every Tasmanian’s life becomes more and more apparent.
We will see stadium taxes, more stadium job cuts and more stadium service cuts in Treasurer Eric Abetz’s May 2026 budget, and even more cuts in his May 2027 budget.
That’s why this issue is red hot in the Labor party, in unions, in welfare groups, and in business circles.
Parliament can permit the stadium to be built, but it cannot legislate reality to be different.
And at some point reality will doom this unaffordable stadium.
The Gunns’ pulp mill was approved by parliament in 2007. It was never built. And Gunns does not exist, either.
Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, 3 December 2025
United approach for Mac Point
The Tasmanian Government and key building and construction unions have come together to reinforce their support for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium.
At Selfs Point today, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, Eric Abetz, stood united alongside the CFMEU.
“Tasmanians built our Hydro, Tasmanians built the Bridgewater Bridge, Tasmanians built our roads and they built our hospitals,” Abetz said.
“All of these landmark projects were underpinned by jobs and the ongoing value that they provide to Tasmanians when completed.
“During the construction period, the stadium is expected to create over 1,500 jobs and 200 jobs on an ongoing basis once in operation.
“This is an economic boon for the entire state – with a tourism and construction ripple effect to be sent to every corner of Tasmania.
“Tasmania’s strong economy underpins everything we do, and this is an opportunity we cannot miss.”
Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, Independent Member for Clark, 2 December 2025
Motion muzzled, Labor rank and file opposed to stadium
Labor’s rank and file are “very angry” over the party’s support for the stadium, and they do not want their MPs to vote for the project.
It’s been revealed the state’s prominent Devonport branch voted last week in support of a motion opposing the stadium, and they were then muzzled by head office.
In response to a question from Johnston’s office a branch spokesperson confirmed late today that the motion against the stadium was successful.
“Yes, we did and we wanted to share our decision with other branches through Labor House,” the spokesperson said in a Facebook Messenger message.
“They said they wouldn’t do this because they are taking a neutral stance on the issue, but we could contact the other branches ourselves.
“Our last two meetings have been dominated by the issue from some very angry members.
“So as a branch we are not supporting the PLPs’ & the executives’ position on the Macquarie Point stadium purely on the economics and the (Tasmanian Planning) Commission’s report.”
It begs the question how many other branches are also opposed to the stadium and have they also been muzzled?
Regardless there is a serious split in Labor over the stadium, with a chasm between the party’s grassroots and its MPs and executive.
They have had to resort to speaking to an independent member of parliament to have their voice heard.
How can Labor’s Leg Co members vote for the stadium?
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