The Advocate's Sean Ford questions Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Rebecca White over their AFL stadium position.
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00:00 Jeremy Rookleff, when you became Premier, did you demand a better deal on the stadium and the team from the AFL?
00:07 We've got a great deal from the AFL. It's a deal that is self-sustaining, it's a deal that is in alliance with what we're investing now when it comes to AFL and our partnerships with the Melbourne Football Club and indeed Hawthorne.
00:23 This has been a four decade dream, as you well know, and as many champions, Gypsy Lee, Darrell Bordock, in the earlier years, right through to Richo and others from the North West Coast.
00:39 Tasmania and the North West Coast Tasmania is no better example of fantastic champions, all are famous, AFL, than the North West Coast of Tasmania.
00:52 So this has been a decades old dream. We secured the deal, we did that through tough negotiations. No other Premier has ever been able to secure the 19th licence or in this case, of course, our own AFL team.
01:08 I'm proud to do so and what I'm particularly proud of is being stopped in the street or the supermarket by young mums in particular that say, "Keep going with the AFL team. We need that stadium. It's fantastic."
01:22 My young chap wants to play AFL in the National League and I'm backing him as well and that's what excites me about not only the AFL but what excites me about the Jackjumpers as well and the investments we've made there.
01:37 The North West Coast is basketball fanatics in many respects and we've invested in southern Tasmania there and of course basketball games have been played across the state.
01:51 But what's great is that the young people are putting down their mobile phones, picking up basketballs and in actual fact, one of the challenges of those key investments and a Tasmanian team in the national competition.
02:04 A good challenge to have is that we need more basketball courts which is fantastic and when you look at the investments we're making in AFL infrastructure in Penguin, in York Park, southern Tasmania as well, it's great.
02:18 But what's also missing and not often spoken about, Sean, is the $360 million that the AFL will invest in Tasmania and I think that's tremendous.
02:28 What do you expect the stadium to cost in total?
02:31 Well, it'll cost, we've said, estimated around $750 million. Of course, we've capped that cost at $375 million and not a cent more.
02:43 The rest of the stadium will be funded by the private sector. It aligns with the deed. We've always had to have an equity contribution from private investors and the deed is secure and it is a good deal for Tasmania.
03:00 We'll invest $375 million to not only have our own AFL team, the opportunities of course of national and international entertainment coming to Tasmania as well, thereby making it easier for Tasmanians to access that venue and the entertainment including AFL and other sporting content as well.
03:20 A great investment, as I've said before, we'll invest that once and every 45 days we invest $375 million, so $8 million a day into our health system.
03:33 But that one investment will create 4,000 jobs, enormous economic opportunity, but also ensure that we deliver what has been decades of a dream of delivering our own AFL team and AFLW team here in Tasmania.
03:48 Have you had Treasury cost the project?
03:51 We haven't had directly Treasury cost the project. We've got our funding out there. We'll take it out to the private sector in terms of addition to our commitment of $375 million.
04:07 Right at the moment, Sean, those costings will be finalised around the economic, the social and the environmental aspects as well of the Project of State Significance process.
04:21 So it's in the planning system, which is great. And I know there'll be key people and investors keen to invest in such a key project as this.
04:30 How do you know that? Have you got people saying, "We would definitely do this and we would be prepared to put in big dollars if necessary"?
04:37 There's been interest, yes. There's been interest such as superannuation companies, for example.
04:43 But also there's been private investment in other stadia across the nation.
04:47 And I just want to ensure, Sean, that people don't lose sight of the economic opportunity of the stadia economy.
04:55 And that is some $8 billion plus around the nation. We're missing out on that.
05:00 And as Premier of Tasmania, I don't want this state to miss out on anything, which is why I've seized this opportunity and proud to do so,
05:09 even though it's been challenging politically for me. But at least people know exactly where I stand.
05:16 Unfortunately, the Labor Party have flipped and flopped all over the place when it comes to the AFL team and the stadium.
05:23 And continue to do so, in actual fact. In fact, Bec said she'd pose the stadium every step of the way and do everything that Bec could to kill it.
05:33 Well, that hasn't been the case. And so I'm proud of where I stand and at least people know where I stand.
05:39 But if you've got such a big, important project and you're not asking State Treasury to put a value to this as best they can with what's known so far,
05:51 isn't that really rather a stunning lack of curiosity?
05:54 Well, no. We've got in the Budget, there was infrastructure for the High Performance Centre and the stadium as well.
06:01 So it's in the Budget, Sean. And so it's all part of the AFL agreement, which we're very proud of.
06:07 OK. Rebecca White, you talk about renegotiating the deal with the AFL. The AFL has said the stadium must be built for Tasmania United.
06:16 Have you actually spoken to the AFL about renegotiating?
06:19 Yeah, I've been talking to the AFL, as you would expect. And I've said that I'm not going to negotiate through the media.
06:24 And as you would expect, I think that's reasonable. I'm pleased to hear the CEO of the AFL say publicly that he'll work with whoever's elected to government.
06:32 But I've been clear for two years now that I don't think investing taxpayer money in a stadium in Hobart is the right priority for our state.
06:40 Jeremy just spoke about how he doesn't want Tasmanians to miss out on anything.
06:44 Tasmanians are missing out on health care. They're missing out on access to housing.
06:47 They're missing out on a whole range of things that a decent government would deliver.
06:52 They're missing out on a government that's got the right priorities in getting the basics right.
06:56 So I think your priority is a little bit warped.
06:59 And certainly across the north of the state, when I'm talking to people in your own electorate and elsewhere, the stadium's not their priority.
07:06 They want a government to be focused on investing and taking urgent action on the cost of living,
07:10 to set Tasmania up for a better future, providing Tasmanian prices for our power, helping people into a home.
07:16 These are the priorities of the Labor government.
07:19 My job will be to stand up for Tasmania every step of the way.
07:22 That is not a good deal that you signed with the AFL. It was an incredibly bad deal.
07:28 No, it wasn't. It was a very good deal, which secured a team for the first time and the only Premier to do so, Rebecca, as you know.
07:35 But you know, once again, Tasmanians do not know where you stand.
07:42 Now, just a couple of days ago, you said you might support a stadium if the team goes well.
07:47 Well, that's not good enough. We need to be more loyal to our Tasmanian teams than that.
07:52 I'm sure you're not going to, well, I hope you're not going to jump off the jackjumpers if they start losing, for example,
07:57 and not continue to invest in the jackjumpers.
08:00 Don't be ridiculous.
08:01 It is a key point. You've got to draw a line in the sand.
08:06 Do you support the stadium or not? Do you support the AFL team or not?
08:10 What the AFL have been very clear on, Bec, is the fact that the deal is the deal.
08:15 It is a good deal and it comes with a stadium, whether you like it or not.
08:19 Now, you mentioned health and housing, cost of living, as we all should.
08:24 But for governments to be able to support those key investments in social housing, in our schools, in our health system,
08:31 we need to grow the economy.
08:33 We need to employ thousands of Tasmanians so we can fund these essential services.
08:37 Your own business case, as flimsy as that is for the stadium, shows that this thing doesn't make money.
08:42 Stadiums don't return money to the government.
08:45 It returns a little bit of money in payroll tax, about $200,000 a year.
08:50 That's not going to fund more than a couple of nurses.
08:53 So it's not sensible to suggest that this is somehow going to pay for all of the other requirements of a good government to invest in.
09:01 And I'd also make the point, Jeremy, that when it comes to Tassie getting its own footy team,
09:07 the Labor Party's always been very supportive.
09:10 And there's been a unity ticket across the state regarding this.
09:13 And I'm excited to celebrate Tassie being able to see its own team run out onto the field.
09:19 But when I asked Jeremy questions about this in Parliament, whether the deal was contingent on a stadium, he said it wasn't.
09:25 And that's there on the record for people to look at and see for themselves.
09:28 And then, of course, there was a surprise announcement of a stadium that didn't go to Cabinet, that hasn't been costed by Treasury,
09:35 and does, in that agreement, say that the state wears all of the cost overruns.
09:40 Irrespective of what Jeremy says now through the campaign,
09:44 apparently one of the first commitments he made this election to Tasmania is that we cap our contribution.
09:49 That agreement you signed with your own hand says otherwise.
09:52 No, it doesn't.
09:53 It does. I've read it.
09:54 Within the agreement.
09:55 It's very clear that the state is responsible for all of the cost overruns.
10:00 Which the private sector, of course, will invest above the $375 million.
10:03 Where are those magical private investors going to come from?
10:05 You haven't secured them in the last two years, so you really think they're going to start showing up now?
10:10 We need to have a better understanding of the economy.
10:13 Investment in bridges don't make money either.
10:16 I actually asked me. Thank you very much.
10:18 Investment in bridges don't make money either, okay?
10:21 But you need to invest in them to end roads and infrastructure as enabling infrastructure.
10:26 And enabling infrastructure is like Hastings Point, such as the stadium,
10:31 where it attracts private investment in and around that Macquarie Point precinct,
10:35 that urban renewal project, which the Federal Labor Party have invested $240 million in, incidentally,
10:42 plus the $65 million to York Park as well to match our commitment.
10:47 So, you know, not only have we brought $360 million from the AFL to Tasmania, Sean.
10:53 Over 16 years now, so, Sean, and that's consistent with the arrangement they currently provide to Tasmania Parks.
10:58 $360 million over the course of the next decade, Sean.
11:02 But also $240 million from the Federal Government, plus the $65 million for York Park or UTAS Stadium.
11:10 So, the courage has brought investment to Tasmania.
11:14 And what Tasmanians want, they might not agree with everything I say, Sean,
11:19 but I've encouraged my convictions.
11:21 I believe in what I say, and even though that might be challenging at times,
11:26 but I stay the course, and Tasmanians expect that in their leaders.
11:29 Just a couple of months ago, the Premier was saying there wouldn't be an early election.
11:32 He didn't stay the course. He didn't actually have the courage of any convictions to go full term.
11:36 So, I think that you've just demonstrated, through the fact that we're having this debate with an early election,
11:42 that your word is not your bond.
11:44 Well, with respect, we needed to restore that certainty and stability for Tasmania's future
11:50 to ensure that we could focus on the issues that Tasmanians want action on,
11:55 including the cost of living, including health, and of course, including housing.
11:59 If Rebecca White is right that the stadium won't make money, Jeremy Brockley,
12:03 why would private sector investors want to invest in it?
12:07 Well, it's a long-term investment, Sean, and don't take, please, Rebecca's word for it.
12:12 You can look at the business case and see it for yourself.
12:15 I'm very confident, like other stadia around the country, that have private investors in, Sean.
12:20 This is an economic enabler that will bring jobs and economic opportunity to Tasmania.
12:27 We're investing in urban renewal, not only Macquarie Point, but urban renewal just today.
12:33 We announced key investments to revitalise the beating heart of Burnie,
12:38 in terms of that urban renewal project, investing into the CBD of the city.
12:42 Just like we did 10 years ago, investing in the heart of Devonport as well with the Living City.
12:47 Everywhere we invest in key urban renewal projects, it is good for local communities.
12:53 It's been fantastic for Devonport, it'll be fantastic for Burnie with our investment we've announced today,
12:59 and it'll be fantastic for all of Tasmania when we have that opportunity of that Macquarie Point urban renewal project.
13:05 Thank you.
13:06 Thank you.
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