The federal authorities has questioned the necessity for a brand new sports activities stadium in Hobart, casting additional doubt over a nineteenth AFL licence being awarded to Tasmania.
The AFL has agreed phrases with the Tasmanian state authorities that will result in an growth membership being established within the island state.
But stadium funding has been a serious sticking level, with the league adamant a brand new venue have to be a part of the deal.
The Tasmanian Liberal authorities has promised to foot half the invoice for a $750 million mission that will see a 23,000-seat venue constructed at Macquarie Point.
The AFL has dedicated $15 million, nonetheless, the federal Labor authorities has not but come to the celebration.
On Saturday, federal sports activities minister Anika Wells provided certified assist to Tasmania’s bid.
Ms Wells queried the AFL’s stadium demand in Hobart, the place the league already performs common matches on the 19,500-capacity Blundstone Arena.
“We want one (an expansion team) and Tassie wants one – and they deserve one,” Ms Wells stated throughout a visitor spot on SEN’s Test cricket protection.
“We just don’t think it needs to be conditional on a stadium to get there.
“No one else had to try this.
“Three-hundred and seventy-five million bucks for a stadium is a lot to ask.”
Earlier this week, bullish AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan stated the league is “the closest we’ve been in decades” to establishing a Tasmanian crew.
But McLachlan conceded some present golf equipment nonetheless must be satisfied it’s the proper transfer for the competitors, and likewise famous the numerous stadium hurdle to be overcome.
“The big piece is the stadium,” McLachlan stated on Thursday.
“The Tasmanian government have made an extraordinary funding commitment to that, we’ve committed $15 million to the stadium and we’re looking at other funding partners.
“There’s one substantive one there, so there is a sequence of conferences and discussions which might be both taking place or deliberate.”
