‘Blank cheque’: Political opponents slam government’s AFL stadium as ‘dud deal’ for Tasmania

Amber Wilson | Mercury | May 21, 2023

Political opponents have slammed the AFL stadium contract as a “bad deal”, claiming the Premier had effectively written a “blank cheque” to the football giant on behalf of Tasmanians.

Ire has also been raised over whether the Tasmanian government has planned all along to be “locked in and make this a fait accompli”.

In the wake of the government releasing details of its “secret deal” on Sunday, Labor leader Rebecca White said it was now clear the “AFL runs the team … it’s not owned by us”.

She said judging by the deal’s provisions, it was “not a surprise” the Premier wanted to keep the agreement secret – with control being handed over to the AFL and Tasmanians footing the bill for costs blowouts.

“ It signs the Tasmanian taxpayer up to not only build the stadium, but also cover all the cost overruns with the stadium,” Ms White said.
“Jeremy Rockliff has signed a blank cheque to the AFL.”

She said the contract’s release shouldn’t have only come after the government was “plunged into minority” following the defection of two Liberal MPs.

The stadium project was initially slated for fast-tracking under the Major Projects process, but since last week’s defection by Liberal MPs Lara Alexander and John Tucker, the government has now instead promised to declare it as a Project of State Significance.

Under the latter process, the stadium deal will require approval by both houses of parliament and assessment by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

“It seems like Jeremy Rockliff has stitched up a deal with his rogue backbenchers now,” Ms White said.

“Mr Rockliff has decided this is the only way to progress his pet project with keeping his government intact.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the contract confirmed the Premier “was a pushover for Gill McLachlan”, slamming the minimum $460 million to be paid out by Tasmania for the stadium, “inevitable cost overruns”, the $12 million annual operational cost and the $60 million training centre.

“No other team in the AFL has come at such a cost to the public purse,” she said.

“We’ve been signed up to the largest state sponsorship and blank-cheque project costs for a sporting team, by the smallest and poorest state, in Australian history.”

Independent MLC Meg Webb raised concerns over the Project of State Significance process, saying it didn’t have a good track record – saying the Gunns pulp mill and Walker Corporation’s Ralphs Bay proposals had been subject to political interference.

She said the process did not allow for judicial review, meaning that any challenges to the stadium would not be elevated to the Supreme Court.

Ms Webb also said that Tasmania had now been locked in to tight time frames that were not realistic, with taxpayers needing to foot the bills for penalties.

She also questioned the transparency of the process taken so far, and slammed the government for only releasing the contract after the cooling-off period had lapsed.

“It looks like the government all along wanted to be locked in and make this a fait accompli.”

Labor’s treasurer spokesman Shane Broad described the agreement as a “dud deal”, with Tasmanian taxpayers forced to take on all the risks.

“This deal means Tasmania takes on all the risks, and the AFL reaps the rewards,” he said.