An historic day for the AFL has arrived.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed $240 million to the funding of a stadium in Macquarie Point, Hobart, paving the way for a 19th AFL licence to be granted to the state of Tasmania.
Mr. Albanese announced the funding as part of an urban renewal project in Macquarie Point. The creation of the precinct will open 4200 jobs, with Albanese adding he hopes it will lead to an AFL team in Tasmania.
That's understood to be a fait accompli.
“It’s not an Australian Football League if we leave off the south island,” Mr. Albanese told reporters, adding he has worked closely with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan on this issue.
Tasmania could receive the licence as soon as next week, with a stadium the final sticking point in negotiations.
The Tasmania State Government has committed $375 million to fund the stadium, with the AFL and private investors also chipping in. It's unclear if a roof will also feature, but it's set to be a multi-purpose stadium that can also host cricket.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff was the first to announce the news of the Prime Minister's impending funding earlier on Saturday.
As I said, I don't want to sit back in 10 years time when I'm back on the farm, thinking “you know what, if only I drove that a bit harder we might've got that”.
— Jeremy Rockliff (@jeremyrockliff) April 28, 2023
Well, today we got it. pic.twitter.com/yQZYgFp1s9
We’ve secured a $240 million investment to transform Mac Point, into something we can all be proud of.
— Jeremy Rockliff (@jeremyrockliff) April 28, 2023
The entire precinct will contain housing for health workers, community facilities and a multi-purpose stadium that unlocks Tassie’s very own AFL team.
But Albanese’s announcement seals the deal for a stadium to be built and a Tasmanian team to likely enter the competition later this decade.
On Friday, the Prime Minister also announced $65 million for a redevelopment of UTAS Stadium in Launceston.