Why Give A Crap? Facts Show Stadium Waste

WHO GIVES A CRAP

by Suzanne Curry, who has written the following treatise for our parliamentarians fully aware that not all will read it.

In my two No-stadium emails to all the Parliamentarians in Tasmania, I have quoted the following facts and statements. I have heard from a handful of you. So, given the current state of play, I can only draw the following conclusions. Here is a summary of information sent to you and what I must conclude is your answer.

1. The proposed stadium is within sight of one of our existing stadiums and offers an additional capacity of only 3000 more spectators.

A: Don’t give a crap.

2. The Tax Foundation of America, 2024: Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sport Stadium Subsidies: shows that sports stadium subsidies fail to generate new tax revenue and are not worth public investment.

A: Don’t give a crap.

3. Surprise! Stadiums Don’t Pay, After All, 2003: Cato Institute (Washington, DC): states if it’s that easy to pay for a stadium, why didn’t the team owners pay for them. It states that making some people pay so others, whether franchise owners or restaurateurs or developers can profit, is a misuse of government monies.

A: Don’t give a crap.

4. Stop padding billionaires’ profits for sports stadiums, The Big Picture, 2018: states your taxpayers’ dollars are being wasted, on an enormous scale, by uncompetitive socialist enterprises that ignore the basic rules of economics. That is, the practice of politicians who give taxpayers dollars to subsidize the business of sport by paying for the construction of stadiums.

A: Don’t give a crap.

5. The “no build” policy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) means the games will rely on existing venues instead of constructing new permanent structures, the first time in 80 years for this approach – to save costs and avoid financial and logistical problems associated with new construction.

A: Not relevant.

6. The Impact of Professional Sports Franchises and Venues on Local Economics (2022): A Comprehensive Survey: This study spans over 30 years and more than 130 studies on the topic. Here is part of their conclusion:

“First, and perhaps the most important, nearly all empirical studies find little to no tangible impacts of sports’ teams and facilities on local economic activity, and the level of venue subsidies typically provided far exceeds any observed economic benefit. In total, the deep agreement in research findings demonstrates that sport venues are not an appropriate channel for local economic development policy. Benefits of professional sports franchises are not sufficient to justify large public subsidies”.

A: Who gives a crap.

7. Dunedin Stadium, New Zealand, has proven that the flow-on effect on employment and economic benefits does not come close to covering the investment and ongoing maintenance required for stadiums. Taxpayers are now levied and continue to provide financial support to a supposed self-sufficient stadium.

A: Who gives a crap.

8. There is a huge budget blowout in major Australian public infrastructure projects – ranging from 25% to a massive 75%. Why? The National Chair of the Australian Cost Engineering Society, Abhijnan Datta, says the common denominator is lack of thorough early planning. The proposed stadium is on track to have a significant budget blowout.

A: Next.

9. The Tasmanian Planning Commission report recommended against the proposed stadium, citing negative economic findings, planning constraints, and heritage concerns.

A: Next.

10. Independent economist Saul Eslake informs us that Tasmania’s financial position is on track to “become worse than that of any other state or territory over the next three years, with $16 billion in debt by 2035”.

A: Next.

11. The 2025 Pre-election Financial Outlook (PEFO), Treasury states:

“The rate of growth in debt is not sustainable, and the size of the problem will only increase if not addressed. Immediate and sustained action is needed…… without intervention it will reduce the state’s ability to manage economic shocks and to provide services to the community in the future”.

A: Next.

12. Have we forgotten about the blame game back in June when Labor’s Treasury spokesperson Josh Willie said the “Liberals have been caught out again and said it showed the Liberals budget mess was even worse than they were admitting”. But now, here we are, both parties happily supporting each other.

A: Next.

13. Leonardo da Vinci said “realise everything connects to everything else”. Perhaps you don’t give a rat’s arse – you may be thinking this doesn’t interest or effect you – perhaps you are not a concerned ratepayer. Be assured that if ratepayers are levied, rentals they own will increase. Be assured that a stadium debt may take decades to clear and compromise our government’s ability to meet and improve your public services and infrastructure.

A: Next.

Now, post both the rallies, I would like to add the following. Based on the current state of play and current rhetoric of the government and opposition, I can only surmise your answers. Here goes:

14. The AFL is a ‘business’ that does not pay income tax. Apparently, it is classified as a not-for-profit organisation under Australian Law. This exemption was originally designed for small community clubs supporting a range of needs and activities, such as financial disadvantage, health and education. People are starting to question this. In March 2025 School of Business and Law academics Dr Matt Nichol and Dr John McLaren at the University of Central Queensland University published an enlightening article entitled: Australia’s Major Sports codes are considered not -for -profits – is it time for them to pay up?

I am hardly surprised. In 2024, the AFL generated $1.04 billion in revenue. The total executive payroll in 2024 was $13.6 million and predicted to grow annually. Why mention this? Because Tasmania should not kowtow to the AFL. My mainland cohorts agree, Mike Malthouse agrees.

A: Next.

15. The AFL wants the Tasmania Football Club (TFC). The AFL wants the significant revenue generated by a new club. I don’t know anyone, including the No-stadium supporters who don’t want the TFC. The $10 ‘sticker/founding member drive’ shows approximately 47% of members don’t live in Tasmania. Australia wants the TFC.

In Australia’s contemporary sport culture, there is a growing list of participation sports. According to Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) National New Participation Picture Report 2025 basketball, soccer, rugby league and cricket are in the prime position to increase their participation base. AFL is still king in the world of sport in Australia but as well paid business executives they realise there is more competition for audiences. The AFL wants our team.

For these reasons, the AFL will not sink our club. If they did, it would show they live up to their reputation as ruthless. It would also reinforce the 2025 AFL Fans Association survey which showed that footy fans satisfaction fell to a record 2.7 out of 5. Fans top concerns: Revenue before fans (no surprise here), umpiring and rule changes, affordability of memberships (no surprise here), floating fixtures and scheduling, the plethora of gambling advertising at venues, TV and streaming. The AFL doesn’t give a continental about the people of Tasmania or our current economic challenges.

A: Hmmm.

16. AFL can be played at York Park and Bellerive.

A: Next.

17. On the 26^th of November and in relation to the proposed new stadium, I received this statement as part of a response from a Labour Party MLC.

“It will create jobs and economic activity, give young people– who we need to stay for so many reasons another reason to stay in Tasmania”.

There was no referencing as to what drove this opinion. If based on the Coordinator- General John Perry’s pro stadium opinion piece, serious questions have been raised about the independence of his analysis and the use of government resources to support a major Liberal government policy.

I do not believe adding to our current debt will help young people.

I have been doing some simple calculations to try and get a handle on what a One Billion $ debt might look like. To service that loan, say at 3.5 % interest, paying principal and interest, means a repayment of $5.4 million every month for 30 years. Or, if you wanted to pay this debt off in 15 years, you would need to find $8.5 million every month as a repayment.

So, without that eye-watering additional debt, imagine what monies might be available for jobs, apprenticeships, scholarships, improved education and school facilities, for young people across all sectors of society throughout Tasmania. The following are listed as the jobs most needed for young Australians. Customer service and hospitality, food service, barista, registered nurse, disability support worker, early childhood teacher, electrician, mechanic, plumber, builder, digital marketing assistant, business administrative trainee, IT roles, youth worker, community development worker. Tasmania’s growing industries for youth highlight healthcare and social assistance, agriculture and tourism.

So do not say a football stadium and eye-watering debt develops broad-reaching careers for the youth of Tasmania, now and in the future.

A: Next

18. Putting all that aside, there is another equally important concern – the disastrous visual amenity of a stadium in the historic city of Hobart.

Expedia’s 2026 lists Hobart in the Top Global Destinations of the year, in the top 10 ‘small cities’ of the world. We are the only Australian city on the list, recognized for its beauty and international appeal.

A: Don’t give a crap.

19. In 2024, the ‘Unshackled’ Tour at the Hobart Convict Penitentiary won Gold at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards for Cultural Tourism. And this year, the National Trust of Tasmania proudly announced that our award-winning Hobart Convict Penitentiary has been named No. 1 ‘Top Attraction’ for both the South Pacific and Australia in Tripadvisor’s prestigious 2025 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. This is a stunning achievement. I have been volunteering at the Penitentiary for 2 years. Over that time, I have spoken to hundreds of visitors from the mainland, across the globe and locals. Time and time again I’m told how fantastic our beautiful city is, with its exceptional sandstone buildings that reflect the city’s past as a major port and a penal colony. They love the built heritage and lack of high-rise buildings, the direct connection to our fabulous waterfront, Kunanyi and our surrounding diverse, vegetated hillsides. When I ask them what they think about having a footy stadium on prime real estate in our unique and stunning historical city they are aghast. For visitors with limited time, viewing our Tasmanian Devil is often high on their list.

2025 evidence suggests there are approximately 48,000 prominent cities and over 4.3 million comprehensive populated places existing globally, depending upon definitional parameters. So here we are, this remarkable small island with Hobart in the world’s top 10 small cities. Do you not understand how extraordinary this is?

A: Don’t give a crap.

20. There are many cities around the world that protect their ‘Old Town’ from modern infrastructure. Although Hobart is young compared to European ‘Old Towns’, it is easy to see parallels and the more time passes, the more its significance will increase.

A: Who gives a crap.

21. The proposed stadium will be discussed under the State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025. I would argue that the welfare of Hobart is of concern to the world. Adding to the points above, the Australian convict record is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World? Why? It tells a significant part of our history and Hobart’s convict history and concentration of stunning convict- built buildings represent some of the most beautiful and significant in Australia. Approximately 75,000 convicts were transported to Van Diemen’s Land, representing 46.9% of approx. 160,000 transported to Australia – hence there are thousands of convict-built structures in Tasmania, and this is one of the main reasons why the world comes to Hobart and Tasmania. Our stunning Parliament House in which you reside, designed originally for use as a Customs House, was designed by the great Architect John Lee Archer and built by convicts. The Customs store room, now in use as the Parliamentary Museum, has some of the finest convict picked sandstone I have ever seen. Much of Salamanca Place, the Cascades Female Factory, the Hobart Convict Penitentiary, significant features of the Royal Botanic Gardens and our stunning Government House used convict labour. If you build a football stadium at Macquarie Point, you basically trashing the intrinsic, priceless, heritage value of a ‘top 10′ small city of the world.

A: Next.

22. No Stadium – Pro Stadium rallies.

Think David and Goliath. To add to the classic Jeremy Rockcliff smear campaign against the No-stadium community he stated at the rally: “But there were people that said no. That ‘no brigade’ looked like they were going to win another battle and slam the door shut on aspiration, but you stood up”.

Tasmanian Police have estimated that the crowd was 15,000 at the pro-stadium rally, 1,500 at the no-stadium rally. I understand sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but let’s be utterly pedantic and play figures. Yes-stadium supporters believe you have the absolute majority wanting the stadium. Let’s say 95%. Well, if 1500 people represent 5 %, 95% should be represented by 28,500 people. But that is neither here nor there. If you cannot or will not understand the difference between a David and Goliath struggle I rest my case.

A: Get a life you no-stadium supporter.

23. In the May 2025 article by Tasmanian Doctors: The Cupboard is Bare, So – Toys or Food? Tasmanian Doctors argue that not having a shiny new stadium might be a difficult choice, but it’s a rational one in view of Tasmania’s circumstances. Here are some of their concerns. We need houses so we need a supply of builders available, we need our planned hospital infrastructure upgraded now, not pushed back to an unfunded completion date of 2050. Then there is ecological collapse, pollution, plastic and waste – talking of which, exactly where is that massive tonnage of contaminated soil from Macquarie Point going to and how is it now safe? Our government should be putting money aside for all these predictable demands right now, not emptying the budget for a passion project held in blind faith, and without limits and subject to an unreasonable stadium demand.

A: Next.

Why I am writing this? Because I actually GIVE A CRAP.

It seems the majority of our parliamentarians don’t or you are so caught up in the passion of the whole AFL stadium debacle you can’t see clearly. It goes without saying that the tsunami of passion at the pro-stadium rally would engulf Parliament House, fly over Kunanyi, scream up the Midlands Highway and cause meteorologists to question an odd disturbance of water in the Bass Strait. However, when everyone dusts themselves off and heart beats go back to normal, your role in government is to be dispassionate and bring rigorous scrutiny to this proposal .

At the moment I despair. So, I am sending to all those parliamentarians who think a stadium is a good idea a roll of toilet paper.

Not the nice Australian ‘Who Gives a Crap’ soft, environmentally friendly stuff. No. I am going to find boxes of the coarse, waxy stuff we had at school. Using it might bring to mind the smear campaign against the people who actually Give a Crap.

Tasmania can renegotiate with the AFL and utilise and upgrade an existing stadium for the Tasmania Devils. There are stadiums in Launceston to consider. Tasmania can employ people through spending the equivalent money on housing, public transport infrastructure within and between Hobart and Launceston, education, health, hospitals including a major hospital on the eastern shore of Hobart, tackling the insidious gambling problem, helping regional Tasmania, the list goes on and on and on. Macquarie Point could build upon our maritime history. It could incorporate sympathetic housing, the Truth and Reconciliation park, a world class Maritime and Antarctic Museum, a stunning waterside community precinct for everyone to enjoy and that the world will envy.

When I worked for a CEO back in Western Australia I was told – if you bring me a problem, bring me solutions. I try to live by that. So, here goes. Pie in Sky? Maybe – but every action begins with a thought.

Accept that in the current financial climate in Tasmania and Australia – based on all the evidence before you, that building this stadium is not appropriate.

Come out onto the Parliament House lawns, every single one of you and collectively say: you know what mates, we cocked up.

Just wear the facts. Say you understand how pissed they might be feeling. Australian’s get that.

So what can we do. 20% of the Tasmanian Football Club (TFC) are under 19 years of age. 35% are under 29. They will be very disappointed and possibly the least likely to understand the harsh economic realities we are facing today. 20% = 42,000 members. 35% = 73,500 members. Make them the first formalised official members of the TFC. Pay 50% of their Bronze Membership for the inaugural year, and possibly beyond. If we work on $200 per membership, that is $11,550 million. Now that is achievable and tangible evidence you care. It is less than two months principal and interest repayment on a billion dollar debt.

Furthermore, what if we have a ballot for every game the TFC plays in Tasmania in the inaugural year, and possibly beyond, that 600 children and 450 adults are financed to go to the game and be the 2 tiered ‘guard of honour’ around the entire perimeter of the field. Those are the rough calculations based on approx. 700 metre perimeter of York Park. I think that would be a special event in their lives and achievable.

I can find no evidence on the TFC website that it will be assisting, financially, to support research that is required to ensure the Endangered Tasmanian Devil numbers do not decline in numbers to Critically Endangered or God forbid, Extinct. That greatly saddens me. However, what a great opportunity to partner with the TFC to involve the kids in this research and get some $$ going to the wonderful creature you have chosen as your iconic image.

Perhaps this is something you and the TFC are already thinking about, who knows?

If, in the future, we are closer to black than red and wish to build a new stadium outside of Hobart when the public transport infrastructure is in place to allow that to happen, I have always thought that a adding a sports stadium to the existing Symmons Plains Raceway might warrant discussion. Whilst I realise AI must be approached with great care, this is what it told me by combining 12 sites: “The User’s query about building the stadium at Symmons Plains is a valid alternative idea”.

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Don’t Subsidise Rich Owners – Fund Critical Public Priorities

No New Stadium in Tasmania

Suzanne Curry with a background in conservation was one community voice of many, working to protect the Rosny Parklands from development. Her vision is to transform the parklands into a world-class inner-city green space.