Familiar face returns for election as stadium divides

Perth Now

11 hours ago

A slew of familiar faces have popped up as candidates in a surprise state election that continues to be dominated by a controversial stadium plan.
Among those putting their hands up ahead of the Tasmanian election are former Liberal state attorney-general Elise Archer, who will run as an independent at the July 19 poll.
The snap election, which will be the state's second in 16 months, was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to resign following a successful no-confidence vote in his leadership.
Ms Archer is contesting the Hobart-based seat of Clark after she was dumped from her frontbench role and quit parliament following bullying allegations. She denies any wrongdoing.
She said she decided to run after being frustrated about the state's financial situation and poor governance under the Liberal-led minority administration.
Minority government seemed "inevitable" and sensible but experienced independents were needed, Ms Archer said.
Mr Rockliff declined to comment on his former colleague's tilt as an independent while unveiling the Liberals' seven candidates for the seat of Lyons on Sunday, but he reiterated only a majority government could provide stability.
"A vote for an independent is a vote for politics and instability," he said.
The premier was in Launceston on Sunday, announcing a pledge to expand women's healthcare service The Bubble and reduce the need for women and girls in the north to travel for care.
The Greens, which could have a role in deciding who forms government in the 35-seat lower house, have called on both parties to clarify their position on the controversial Macquarie Point stadium.
The stadium in Hobart is a condition of the AFL granting the island state a team licence and has been backed by the Liberals and Labor, but the Greens and some independents oppose the project due to its potential $1 billion price tag.
The Greens insist York Park in Launceston, which hosted 15,000 people for a Friday clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide, should be the home of football.
Mr Rockliff said his party supported the stadium as it would keep the state economy strong.
"We keep investing in people, in infrastructure that grows our economy, so we can fund those essential services that all Tasmanians care about," the premier said.
Labor Leader Dean Winter said his party was consulting with stakeholders over legislation allowing the stadium to bypass planning and development approvals, but he reiterated support for the project.
"We understand that that's the link between the AFL team that Tasmania has desperately wanted," he said in Old Beach, north of Hobart, to announce a plan to slash development rules in half to get housing built faster.
Ms Archer said she couldn't support the stadium due to the cost, noting "no other AFL team has had such strict requirements placed on it like Tasmania".