Devils a step closer as key independent reveals stadium vote

3 months ago 10

The proposed new Macquarie Point stadium – and potentially the AFL’s newest club, the Tasmania Devils – is a significant step closer after winning the vote of a key politician.

Ahead of the 15-member vote by the Tasmanian upper house, likely to be this week, independent Bec Thomas revealed on Wednesday she would support the $1.13 billion roofed stadium, meaning it is likely to pass parliament.

The AFL insists a billion-dollar stadium must be built at Macquarie Point for the Devils to join the league in 2028.

“This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Thomas said.

“With all my heart I have wanted to support this project. But I remain deeply aware of the community’s mixed feelings about it. Many Tasmanians are worried about the cost, location, and whether the benefits will truly flow to local people. Those concerns are valid.

“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.”

To pass the Legislative Council, the government needs at least eight of the chamber’s 15 votes.

The Liberals have three – they are all expected to vote in favour – while Labor has three. That will be two votes in favour, but the third is Craig Farrell, who is the president of the upper house. It’s uncertain which way Farrell will vote, but in cases where a vote is tied, the president traditionally votes in the negative.

However, with independents Casey Hiscutt and Tania Rattray reportedly likely to vote “yes”, and with Thomas now adding her support, the 23,000-seat stadium – and new AFL club – appears likely to go ahead.

It remains unclear how independent Dean Harriss will vote. Harriss 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. The state’s treasury has estimated debt will top $13 billion by 2028.

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

The AFL has maintained it will only award a 19th licence should the stadium be approved. If approved, the Devils are aiming to join the AFL and AFLW in 2028, but they will split 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 – oversight by an independent probity adviser as part of the project governance, oversight and assurance framework – and restoring participation funding at grassroots levels.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon launched the Tasmania Devils in March 2024.

Thomas 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.

Thomas was critical of how the government had handled the stadium issue, but called for state unity.

“I acknowledge the passion with which people have argued their position on the stadium – both for and against, and I think it’s a great shame that realising the dream of a Tasmanian AFL team has been so overshadowed by the division in the community, as evidenced by the rallies over the past two weekends,” Thomas said.

“Whatever the outcome, we need to come together as a state now. That needs to be our focus.”

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

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