Media Release: Does Missed 30th June Deadline mean State is in Breach of AFL Agreement?
Does Missed 30th June Deadline mean State is in Breach of AFL Agreement?
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb has questioned whether the state’s failure to obtain the necessary planning approvals for the AFL-demanded stadium by the 30th June deadline means Tasmania is in breach of the deal, and whether there are ramifications for the Devils football team.
“The State government needs to clarify whether or not Tasmania is currently in breach of its deal with the AFL in light of two statutory approvals 30th June deadlines not being met, as stipulated in Schedule 12 of the Agreement,” Ms Webb said.
“Further, the AFL needs to clarify any implications the two missed 30th June deadlines may have for the Tassie Devils team.
“Do the two missed deadlines mean the state is in breach of the deal, and if so does that make the Agreement null and void, or will those provisions now be up for renegotiation?
“If these missed deadlines are to be renegotiated, there are serious questions surrounding when such renegotiations can occur, and by whom.
“Further, if parts of the deal to do with obtaining environmental and planning approvals, and the sign off by the Parliamentary Public Works Committee can be renegotiated, why not other elements of the deal?
Ms Webb warned any renegotiations should not occur during the current caretaker period of government, but must now wait until the new Parliament is convened.
“As we are now in caretaker mode, thanks to the current state election, I am calling on the Liberals to confirm that any renegotiations of the deal, such as the apparent two missed 30 June deadlines, will not occur during the caretaker period and not until the new parliament sits.
“Ironically, I was urging the deal be renegotiated long before this snap election was called, which if that had happened could have secured the future of the Devils team instead of the current uncertainty caused by the failure to meet stipulated deadlines in the deal during a state election caretaker period.
“I am calling on the Premier to clarify the status of the AFL Agreement in light of the two 30th June deadlines, and to undertake that no renegotiations will occur during the caretaker period until a new parliament is sworn in,” Ms Webb said.
