A new issue has arisen in Tasmania’s need for a stadium and its search for a 19th AFL license.
The mooted stadium is seen to be the only sticking point in Tasmania being granted its own team. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has previously declared no stadium would mean no 19th license.
WIN News Tasmania’s Brent Costelloe acknowledged that it appears to be the only remaining hurdle, with clubs seemingly coming around to the idea of a 19-team competition.
“I think we can all agree that the team is just about over the line, even (Gold Coast president) Tony Cochrane is onboard now which is extraordinary because he was so dead against it, but this stadium is a big issue and the next piece of the puzzle we need to solve,” he told SEN Breakfast.
Costello added that the original cost of $750 million is still considered accurate, with the state government pledging to pay no more than half the amount.
A combination of the Federal Government, private investors and the AFL could be needed to fork out the remainder.
But, as Costello details, the issue has become political.
“The issue is now the Labor government here in Tasmania, the Labor opposition, are dead against it,” he stated.
“They say we don’t need a new stadium, we’ve got other priorities… all these sorts of things and the money should be directed elsewhere.
“But the other side of the coin is we need the stadium to get the team, so it’s a really delicate and tricky situation at the moment.”
A statement from Tasmanian Labor read: “It is time the government listened to Tasmanians and put them first instead of stubbornly pushing on with another stadium in Hobart nobody wants.”
Tasmanian Labour is now demanding for a referendum to be put to Tasmanians to decide on the stadium.
Furthermore, Costelloe stated this was at odds with the Federal Labor party. Treasure Jim Chalmers has admitted the door is “open” for the Government to chip in.
“The other interesting part of this too is that if this is funded by the (Federal Government), that’s obviously the Labor Government in Australia and the state Labor party are against it,” he continued.
“If the Federal Government does come through and fund this, it's going to be a really delicate and awkward situation for state Labor, because they’re obviously on different sides of the coin.”
The AFL could award Tasmania a provisional license providing the funding is found, or it could wait to ensure all the ducks are in a row.
It’s further complicated by McLachlan announcing his resignation during the year. He’s expected to step down before the 2023 season although a date is yet to be confirmed.