If Tassie’s parliament doesn’t approve enabling legislation for a new Hobart stadium, the state can kiss goodbye to having a team in the AFL competition
That’s the upshot of the Premier’s message about the special legislation which would override the Project of State Significance process.
Jeremy Rockliff telling parliament, it’s up to members in both houses of parliament to either make it happen or its over.
“If the legislation is not passed, the stadium will not go ahead and the team will no go ahead.”
Independent upper house member Bec Thomas, who’s vote will be crucial, issued a statement:
“The way the Government is approaching its communication with MPs and the people of Tasmania on the stadium, one could wonder whether they are trying to get the stadium built or hoping to see it go down among a sea of shifted blame.
It’s disrespectful to the intelligence of Tasmanians to try to trick them into believing responsibility for the AFL team lies with MPs who had no involvement in signing the deal with the AFL that mandated it.
However, the Premier’s comments regarding the future of the POSS process have no impact on my decision making.
We know we’re going to have enabling legislation to consider but, right now, we don’t have a draft bill so we can only speculate on what it might or might not include. While we wait, I’m doing everything I can to inform myself on the stadium and the team.
My decision will be based on whether there is sufficient information to demonstrate the stadium can be built at Macquarie Point and a clear plan on how the Government intends to pay for it.
I will also need to understand how infrastructure associated with the stadium will be funded, including not just the northern access road and other projects referred to in the MPDC’s submission, but also the northern suburbs transit corridor and more community sports facilities.
I stand firm on my position that I support Government investment in high performance sporting infrastructure only if it is also adequately investing in community sporting facilities. I really hope the budget reflects this, so no child misses out on the opportunity to play sport.
I’m also concerned that the transport plan doesn’t include the northern suburbs transit corridor, as I believe the long-awaited activation of transport on this corridor will be critical if locals are able to access the stadium.
I will continue to read reports, talk to relevant stakeholders and listen to the people I represent to help inform my decision on whether a stadium at Macquarie Point is in the best interests of Tasmanians.”
Photo by John Fabris
