Politics, election makes devil's brew of Tassie stadium
Construction of a 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a condition of the Devils' licence to enter the league in 2028.
The project is backed by the incumbent Liberals and Labor opposition which both fell short of the 18 seats needed for majority government at Saturday's snap poll.
Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Dean Winter have started courting four crossbench independents, three of whom campaigned on an anti-stadium platform.
Labor is expected to finish with 10 seats behind the Liberals' 14, meaning in order to govern it would need support of the five-seat Greens who are vehemently anti-stadium.
Mr Rockliff and Mr Winter have both declared the stadium is not up for negotiation.
"My very firm commitment was for our very own Tassie AFL and AFLW team. I'm very proud of securing the deal," Mr Rockliff said.
Talks with the cross bench will likely span weeks, with the three undecided seats potentially not determined until August 2.
Two pathways exist for approving the stadium, both of which require a vote of both houses of parliament.
The initial method was an assessment under Tasmania's project of state significance process.
But tight timelines and financial penalties if the stadium isn't finished for the 2029 season prompted Mr Rockliff to change course and put forward fast-track approval legislation.
Debate on that legislation was delayed by the snap election, which was sparked by a Labor-led no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff.
Despite Greens and cross bench stadium opposition, the legislation, with Liberal and Labor numbers, will pass the lower house.
"What the vote said is that two-thirds of Tasmanians voted for pro-Tassie Devils and pro-stadium candidates. That is resounding," Mr Rockliff said.
The stadium, however, faces a trickier path through the 15-member upper house where neither the Liberals nor Labor have the numbers.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon maintained he was confident of the club's 2028 start date.
"I'm not a builder but what we need to do is work with the government of the day to get the planning permission ... and basically just get on with it," he told reporters on Monday.
The Devils stand ready to work with the incoming Tasmanian government.
"We are focused on entering the AFL and AFLW by 2028, in order to do that we have several time frames that must be met," the club said in a statement.
"We are very eager to work with the government to realise these."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
UK, Australia and other countries urge end to Gaza war
The United Kingdom and 24 other countries have called for an immediate end to the war in the Gaza Strip and criticised the Israeli government's aid delivery model after hundreds of Palestinians were killed near sites distributing food. France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and other countries said more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid and condemned what it called the "drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians". The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, which the United States and Israel backed to take over aid distribution in the Gaza Strip from a network led by the United Nations. "The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the countries' foreign ministers said in a joint statement. The call for an end to the war and the way Israel delivers aid comes from several countries which are allied with Israel and its most important backer, the United States. The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into the Gaza Strip, largely bypassing a UN-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the accusation. The UN has called the GHF's model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards, which the GHF denies. The statement comes as Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah for the first time on Monday, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes hostages may be held. The area is packed with Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war, hundreds of whom fled west or south after Israel issued an evacuation order, saying it sought to destroy infrastructure and capabilities of the militant group Hamas. Tank shelling in the area hit houses and mosques, killing at least three Palestinians and wounding several others, local medics said. To the south in Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike killed at least five people, including a husband and wife and their two children in a tent, medics said. In its daily update, Gaza's health ministry said at least 130 Palestinians had been killed and more than 1000 wounded by Israeli gunfire and military strikes across the territory in the past 24 hours, one of the highest such totals in recent weeks. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis incidents. Israeli sources have said the reason the army had stayed out of the Deir al-Balah districts was because they suspected Hamas might be holding hostages there. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in the Gaza Strip are believed to be still alive. Families of the hostages have expressed concern for their relatives and demanded an explanation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz and the army chief of how they will protect them. "The people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages - both the living and the deceased. No one will be able to claim they didn't know what was at stake," the Hostage Families Forum Headquarters said in a statement. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages back to the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli tallies. The Israeli military campaign against Hamas has since killed more than 59,000 people, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population of the enclave and caused a humanitarian crisis.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
PM slams 'repulsive' Latham as Labor portrait remains
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Tasmania election: Winter mulls Greens deal as hung parliament looms
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Picture: Caroline Tan As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Picture: Caroline Tan The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Picture: Caroline Tan With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.' Originally published as How Labor Party could still form government in Tasmania despite 'worst ever' election result
