‘The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make’: Devils, stadium to get the green light from parliament

“All the public focus has been on who will back the stadium. For me, the question has been under what conditions could it possibly earn support. That’s why my support for the project is strictly conditional on economic, governance, design and community safeguards that seek to protect the welfare of Tasmanians.”

In her speech in parliament on Wednesday, Rattray said the stadium was about “creating a legacy that future generations would thank us for”.

Tasmanian independent Bec Thomas outside parliament in Hobart.Credit: AAP

Hiscutt said his endorsement went beyond “the fear of the unknown and the unease of change”.

“I hear a lot of people saying we have earned a team or we deserve a team — and those statements are true,” he said.

“However, the AFL is a business, and it does not work on words like ‘earned’ or ‘deserved’, it works on words like ‘long-term sustainability’ and ‘profitability’.

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“It has determined that the deal struck between the AFL and the Premier satisfies their needs in this regard. But to use emotion to dictate that this will be renegotiated is farcical at best and duplicity at worst.”

Fellow independent Ruth Forrest maintained her opposition to the stadium.

“I cannot support a project that fails basic planning tests, violates the government’s own investment criteria and will drain economic activity through debt servicing while generating uncertain returns,” Forrest said.

“I am firmly of the view the AFL would not walk away, and we should not be basing a ‘yes’ vote on the fear they will. I will never bow to the pressure of an external party, especially one which always acts in its own interests.”

The Greens’ Cassy O’Connor also rejected the plan, and ditched her pre-planned speech after realising the stadium had won the required support.

“We know now how the vote will almost certainly go. So laying out all the evidence — the irrefutable, independent, expert evidence — for why this order should be resoundingly rejected seems moot now,” O’Connor said.

Labor will deliver at least two votes in favour of the project and, most likely, three, given there now appears to be no deadlock. Craig Farrell is president of the upper house and, in cases where a vote is tied, the president traditionally votes in the negative.

Each side is also awaiting how independent Dean Harriss will vote. He last month questioned whether the state could afford the stadium after the treasury department estimated the state’s overall debt will top $13 billion by 2028.

The federal government has committed $240 million to the stadium and the AFL $15 million, while the state must borrow the remainder, adding to fears the financially crippled state will be buried in debt.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the AFL contract, conceded this week he was nervous about the vote.

Need a new stadium: AFL chief Andrew Dillon launched the Tasmania Devils in March 2024.Credit: AFL Photos

The AFL has maintained it will only award a 19th licence should the stadium be approved. If approved, the Devils will split their home games in their maiden season between the current stadiums in Hobart and Launceston while the new venue is built.

Thomas, a former mayor, said she had secured the government’s commitment to safeguards including a fixed cost cap on the state’s contribution of $875 million, an independent watchdog – as part of the project governance and oversight – and restoring participation funding at grassroots levels.

Thomas also wants the government to increase the funding pool for community sport infrastructure to $105 million over four years, and adopt a sport infrastructure plan and framework for government investment in sport.

The new club has yet to appoint a men’s senior coach, but Collingwood great Nathan Buckley – one of the favourites – said this week he would keep a close eye on the vote.

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