Gambling and hotel giant Federal Group flags opposition to Hobart's proposed Macquarie Point stadium

Australia Broadcast Center

12-05-2025

Tasmanian hospitality giant Federal Group says Macquarie Point is not the right location for the proposed AFL stadium.
The group owns two hotels in the precinct and the Wrest Point casino in the nearby Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay.
Speaking to ABC Radio Hobart, executive general manager of corporate and regulatory affairs Daniel Hanna said the group had some "real concerns" about the proposed location.
"We know just about every visitor to Tasmania will find themselves on the Hobart waterfront, and that iconic view from places like Mures across towards the Henry Jones [hotel], really captures that maritime heritage feel that we know visitors love.
"That will be changed forever with a stadium, which is going to be on a significant scale.
While location was Mr Hanna's main issue, he said the group also had concerns about the stadium's approval process and the funding.
The state government last month decided to pull it out of the project of state significance (POSS) process and instead use enabling legislation in parliament to bypass the planning system.
According to an EMRS poll, commissioned by Federal Group, that decision is not popular.
The statewide poll of 878 Tasmanians, which was conducted in mid April, found the majority opposed the government's decision to withdraw it from the POSS process.
While two-thirds opposed the government spending more than $375 million on the project and 62 per cent said the opposition and independents should block the enabling legislation if that spending cap was going to be breached.
Mr Hanna said the stadium should be considered under the existing planning rules.
"Every private sector developer, including ourselves, has to follow the existing planning rules," he said.
"We can't decide if we don't like them to go through another process and I think that's what we'd be encouraging the Tasmanian government to do here.
"And clearly, from our polling, most Tasmanians agree with that premise as well."
That poll had seven questions, including whether Tasmanians supported the Macquarie Point stadium.
Those results were not released, however, they formed part of the group's submission to the Tasmanian Planning Commission and will be made public at a later date.
"My recollection is there is pretty low levels of support for the stadium as it's proposed at Macquarie Point," Mr Hanna said.
In a Facebook post on the weekend, former deputy premier Michael Ferguson hit back at Federal Group, claiming it was ironic to hear it talking about abiding by "existing laws and processes" when it comes to the stadium.
"I'm glad the company is raising issues of due process and fairness — even if its motives are unclear," Mr Ferguson wrote.
"But if Federal is serious about the public interest, it should stop undermining the government's nation-leading poker machine reforms.
"These reforms are simple: players choose their loss limits in advance. It's about putting the power into the hands of the player — for the first time."
Mr Ferguson has long been a fierce advocate for the introduction of a cashless gaming card.
However, the scheme was put on ice soon after he was forced to the backbench by the opposition and crossbench over the Spirit of Tasmania debacle.
"Other states are moving ahead. Tasmania was first to announce it, but we've lost our lead — for now.
"Still, I'm confident we'll get there.
"And when we do, I'll be proud to have continually stood with strength and grace against the powerful vested interests to deliver reform that protects a person's right to gamble, but will stop them losing everything.
"One day, even those who profit from legalised misery will come around to this: due process."