The Greens party in Tasmania has sparked controversy by arranging a flight for AFL CEO Andrew Dillon to Hobart on state election day. This effort aims to encourage him to engage with local residents amidst ongoing debate over a proposed $1 billion stadium at Macquarie Point, intended to host a new AFL team. The Greens have actively opposed this project, recently asserting on social media their commitment to “stop the stadium.”
Tasmania’s political landscape has been tense, leading to a snap state election scheduled for 19 July, following a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff. The stadium has garnered bipartisan support, with both the Liberal and Labor parties advocating for its construction, knowing that it is crucial for bringing the proposed Tassie Devils franchise to life. However, the Greens and some crossbenchers have expressed concerns about the escalating costs associated with the project.
In their statement, the Greens accused the AFL of neglecting local community voices, claiming that Dillon has primarily communicated with state politicians while ignoring Tasmanians’ opinions. They invited him to visit polling booths and the afternoon game between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide in Launceston, amplifying their call for him to experience local sentiment first-hand.
While the Greens have taken measures to make his trip more comfortable by booking him extra legroom on Jetstar, reactions to this publicity stunt have been mixed. Some commentators have slammed the initiative as a misguided use of resources, with one Tasmanian writer describing it as “what a waste.”
Amid these political manoeuvres, predictions suggest that Tasmania may face another hung parliament after the election. Meanwhile, the original agreement between the Tasmanian government and the AFL mandates the stadium’s completion by the 2029 season. Failure to meet this deadline could lead to financial penalties, amounting to $4.5 million if the stadium isn’t partly finished by October 2027, and an additional $4.5 million if the team cannot host matches at the venue in 2029.
The federal government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has also weighed in, urging Tasmania to expedite construction of the stadium, having already committed $240 million to the project, complemented by $15 million from the AFL. The outcome of this ongoing debate remains critical to Tasmania’s sporting future and its political stability.