The extraordinary alliance of Tasmanian federal politicians coming together today against the waterfront stadium is a huge vote of no-confidence in Jeremy Rockliff's priorities for Tasmania.
With Bridget Archer, Jonno Duniam, Wendy Askew, Gavin Pearce and Claire Chandler all teaming up together to make the call, it also shows a deep division between state and federal Liberals.
Tasmanian Labor has long been on the record as a strong advocate for Tasmania having our own men's and women's AFL teams.
We have also been a strong advocate for Tasmania not being blackmailed by the AFL to jump through hoops no other state has had to in order to get our own team.
The decision about a Tasmanian team should have happened months ago and we should be in the planning phase to get the team up and running.
By now we should have had a board and other key executives appointed and be starting our membership drive.
Instead, Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberal Government have got us into this almighty mess by not standing up to Gillon McLachlan and the AFL on behalf of Tasmania to demand what we deserve.
Tasmania is in a health, housing, cost-of-living and education crisis, yet Jeremy Rockliff is spending all his energy on a waterfront stadium for one of Australia's richest sports.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Sport
