Media Release: Missed Opportunity to Seek AFL Renegotiations to Insulate Team

Missed Opportunity to Seek AFL Renegotiations to Insulate Team

9 April 2025

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC described the Upper House failure last night to support her motion calling for the Rockliff Government to reopen negotiations with the AFL as a missed opportunity to secure the long-term security of the state’s AFL team.

“After a marathon debate, it is disappointing that the Legislative Council failed to seize the opportunity this week to pursue renegotiations with the AFL in order to ensure Tasmania’s AFL team does not become collateral damage should the state be unable to comply with the current agreement timeframes and deadlines,” Ms Webb said.

“The Premier likes to assert it is sensible to seek a range of options, yet for some reason that logic was not applied by either the Liberal Members or the Labor Opposition when it came to needing to prepare for a Plan B that doesn’t cost us the AFL team should the State not be able to meet the agreement deadlines.

“Contrary to some arguments put during debate, this call to reopen negotiations is not mutually exclusive to the ongoing PoSS process by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. 

“Instead, potentially revised contractual agreements surrounding timeframes and deadlines could assist in addressing serious concerns raised in the TPC draft Integrated Assessment Report.”

Ms Webb said she stands by her call that it would be a responsible course of action to protect the long-term viability of our team by seeking immediately to renegotiate stadium related deadlines with the AFL.

“This would be a win-win for both the State and the AFL.”

View the text of Ms Webb’s motion debated on Tuesday 8 April 2025 below or here: