Latest news with #DanielHanna
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Gambling and hotel giant Federal Group flags opposition to Hobart's proposed Macquarie Point stadium
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."
Mercury
09-05-2025
- Business
- Mercury
Federal Group's Daniel Hanna raises cost concerns about Macquarie Point stadium
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of Tasmania's biggest employers, the Federal Group, has expressed concerns about the 'uncertain and significant' cost of the Macquarie Point stadium after polling showed community opposition to fast-tracking the project. The statewide EMRS polling, commissioned by Federal, also showed that of those polled more than two-thirds, or 70 per cent, were opposed to the state government spending more than its cap of $375m on the stadium. Of the 878 Tasmanians polled in mid April, 50 per cent opposed the government withdrawing from the Project of State Significance process while 24 per cent supported the move. It comes as the government announced this week that there would be no private investment in the stadium and the Macquarie Point Development Corporation would borrow cash and sell land to make up the shortfall, which is expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars. Federal's executive general manager, corporate and regulatory affairs, Dr Daniel Hanna said that the poll results should give the Tasmanian government pause for thought on their proposed fast-track stadium legislation. 'The results clearly demonstrate that Tasmanians hold concerns about this proposed stadium, especially the uncertain but significant costs,' he said. 'The proposed stadium is already a very divisive project, abandoning the Tasmanian Planning Commission process in favour of fast-track legislation will make that division even worse. 'Every developer in Tasmania must comply with the existing laws and processes, the Tasmanian community clearly wants the Tasmanian government to play by the same rules. 'The research supports the Tasmanian government reconsidering their position and continuing with the Tasmanian Planning Commission process.' Dr Hanna said the polling was commissioned to 'inform' Federal's submission to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which it has not made public. 'We wanted to understand the views of the Tasmanian population about issues related to the cost and process followed, and whether some of the concerns we have were more widely held,' he said. 'We have submitted a comprehensive submission to the Tasmanian Planning Commission that outlines our concerns about this proposed stadium. 'These concerns have been held for some time and nothing we have seen recently has reduced these concerns. 'Our concerns centre on the proposed location, the significant costs to the state budget, the process followed, and the lack of consultation from the proponent. 'Having said that, we strongly support Tasmania having its own AFL team.' The polling results show that 62 per cent believe the Opposition and independent MPs should oppose the fast-track legislation if the spending cap is breached. Participants were asked if they agreed or disagreed with withdrawing from the POSS project, whether they agreed or disagreed that the Tasmanian government should spend more than its announced $375m and, if the government proposed to go beyond the spending cap of $375m, should the Opposition and independents oppose the special stadium legislation being introduced into parliament. Federal employs about 2000 people and owns both the MACq 01 and Henry Jones Art Hotel near to the proposed stadium. QUESTIONS FROM EMRS POLL ON MAC POINT STADIUM: 'The Tasmanian Government recently announced its decision to withdraw from the Tasmanian Planning Commission Projects of State Significance process. Do you agree or disagree with this decision?' Strongly agree – 14% Somewhat agree – 11% Neutral – 14% Somewhat disagree – 11% Strongly disagree – 38% NET Agree 24%; NET Disagree 50% 'Would you agree or disagree that the Tasmanian Government should spend more than its announced $375m?' Strongly agree – 12% Somewhat agree – 9% Neutral – 8% Somewhat disagree – 12% Strongly disagree – 57% NET Agree 21%; NET Disagree 70% 'In your opinion, if the Tasmanian government proposed to go beyond the spending cap of $375m should the Tasmanian opposition and independents oppose the special stadium legislation being introduced into parliament?' Yes – 62% No – 25% Unsure – 13%
