The extension of the Hawthorn deal reflects how far we are away from our own AFL team thanks to the state government's debacle over the proposed stadium for Hobart.
In February 2021, then Premier Peter Gutwein wrote to the AFL saying the State Government wouldn't negotiate with Hawthorn or North Melbourne for new deals until they received a guarantee on our own team.
The AFL said that we would have a decision on our team by August 2022 but we're still waiting and the whole AFL Team has become mired in the stadium issue.
It should not have been this way.
The AFL Team for Tasmania was not contingent on building a taxpayer funded stadium in Hobart and Premier Rockliff is on the record stating that.
Now the Tasmanian taxpayer is on the hook for $460 million and the state government has ensured that's the case.
The stadium has got in the way of creating the team; of appointing key office bearers for the team, putting in place a board and starting our push for membership all because Premiers Gutwein and Rockliff have refused to stand up to the AFL.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Sport
