Tasmania's long-running and deeply divisive debate over a new stadium for Australian Rules Football has reached a decisive conclusion. The state's parliament has officially greenlit the proposed $1.13 billion venue at Hobart's Macquarie Point, a critical precondition for the Tasmania Devils to enter the national AFL and AFLW competitions.
Late-Night Vote Ends Years of Speculation
After two days of intense debate, the upper house of parliament passed the legislation for the 23,000-seat roofed stadium in a late-night session, concluding just before 11pm on Thursday. The final vote was 9-5 in favour, with support from four independent MPs, three from the Liberal party, and two from Labor.
The decision followed key declarations of support from independent upper house members earlier in the week, which ended years of political uncertainty. Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the original contract with the AFL, championed the project as a transformative economic driver for the state. "The Tasmanian Devils and aspiration for young people has brought it to this point where we're going to get the job done," he stated prior to the debate.
Deals, Tears, and a Cap on Costs
To secure the necessary votes, the government made significant concessions. A deal with key independent MP Bec Thomas saw the state agree to cap its financial contribution at $875 million. This figure is a stark increase from an initial estimate of $715 million and far beyond Rockliff's earlier pledge that the state would not pay "one red cent more" than $375 million.
During the emotional debate, Thomas was briefly moved to tears, acknowledging the strong community opposition. "I am genuinely sorry to those who desperately did not want me to support this," she said. "I really hope that you can come to understand the reasons for my decision." The agreement with her also included boosts to local sporting funding and increased oversight for the project.
Another independent, Dean Harriss, backed the plan after receiving government commitments on budget repair, stating he needed to be sure they were "fair dinkum."
A Divisive Project with a Clear Path Forward
The stadium has been a source of major controversy in Australia's smallest state. Critics, including the Greens' Cassy O'Connor who voted against it, argue it is a poor priority amidst rising state debt and that a peak planning body found its costs outweighed its benefits. Federal senator Jacqui Lambie famously suggested the deal should be "shoved up the premier's bum."
Conversely, an estimated 15,000 people attended a pro-stadium rally just days before the vote, demonstrating significant public support. The Devils club has continued its establishment work throughout the political turmoil.
With parliamentary approval secured, the path is now clear for the Tasmania Devils to fulfil their licence and join the AFL in 2028. Premier Rockliff indicated the stadium design could be tweaked to adhere to the $875 million budget cap. The AFL is contributing $15 million to the build, while the federal government has pledged $240 million for the Macquarie Point site.
