Large crowd attends anti-stadium rally in Hobart, but minister says, 'We've got to get on with it'
A large crowd has rallied on parliament lawns in Hobart to oppose the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and the Tasmanian government's decision to scrap the current planning process for it.
The stadium, a condition of Tasmania's AFL licence, is currently being assessed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission as a project of state significance.
But the government has announced it will abandon that process and instead attempt to get the stadium built through special enabling legislation.
"They're ripping up the rule book again, once again playing dictatorship not going through the planning process," Senator Jacqui Lambie — who remains in a battle to retain her Senate seat following last weekend's election — said at the rally.
"Disgraceful. What sort of leadership is that?
"And now they're going to push through a bill through to get this stadium built and threatening Tasmania's MPs that it will be their fault if they don't get it up again.
"It's your fault [Premier Jeremy] Rockliff. It's your fault."
Senator Lambie was also critical of the government's "spin" when it comes to funding for the stadium.
On Monday, the ABC revealed the Tasmanian government had finalised its preferred funding method for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, settling on a debt-funded model to pay for the project, which would include borrowing any shortfall of funds through the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC).
Opponents have claimed the premier has broken a promise — that Tasmania's contribution to the stadium would be $375 million, and "not one red cent more".
But the government has said borrowing money to fund the stadium was always the intention, and that it has the receipts to prove it.
"Anyone who knows about this infrastructure knows the cost blowout, but this government only knows spin; say what you can to get out of trouble that day and keep barrelling on," Senator Lambie said.
Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston also spoke at the rally, and said the stadium's costs were "grossly underestimated, and its benefits overstated".
Tasmanian Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor said community anger had been growing since it was announced the project-of-state-significance process would be abandoned for the stadium.
"The strong message from today's rally is that, overwhelmingly, Tasmanians want to keep the team we've earned and deserve, but they reject a multi-billion dollar stadium and its drain on the public purse for generations," Ms O'Connor said.
Sports Minister Nick Duigan said stadium builds were contentious across Australia and around the world, but he said the Macquarie Point stadium was critical for the viability of the Tasmania Devils AFL club.
"I'd be so disappointed if we missed our chance," Mr Duigan said.
Asked if the government had been up-front with Tasmanians over the funding structure for the stadium, Mr Duigan said he believed it had been.
"I believe there has always been borrowings mentioned in the stadium agreement in the AFL agreement around land at Macquarie Point," he said.
"The premier hasn't deviated one inch from his line about delivering the team for Tasmania.
"If we are going to deliver the stadium infrastructure and the team in the timeline that is available to us we've got to get on with it."
At the rally, Labor was criticised for its promise to support the enabling legislation, despite not having seen it, and for its change of position on the stadium.
Ms Johnston said Labor's position on the stadium was "really insulting".
"Because let's face it, when it comes to the stadium, Labor has had more positions than a Kama Sutra book," Ms Johnston said.
"They are going to fake scrutiny by asking a few questions but at the end of the day they are Liberal lite and are willing to vote for it no matter what.
"It is a blatant betrayal of their supporters and the community who need an effective opposition."
Responding to the criticism, Labor Rumney MLC Sarah Lovell said her party supported the project because it was a critical part of the AFL team deal.
"But we also support the stadium because we support well-paid, meaningful jobs and once the Bridgewater bridge is finished there are no major infrastructure projects in the pipeline anywhere in Tasmania," Ms Lovell said.
Asked if Labor's support was unconditional she said, "No".
"This is not Labor's project.
"This is Jeremy Rockliff's pet project that he made a commitment to deliver. He took it to the last election, he was re-elected and he now is in the position where he needs to deliver this project."
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