Premier Jeremy Rockliff issues ultimatum on special AFL stadium legislationABy Adam LangenbergTopic:Urban Development and Planning1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 3:02amThe Tasmanian government will introduce special legislation that would allow a stadium to be built at Hobart's Macquarie Point. (Supplied: Macquarie Point Development Corporation)In short:The Tasmanian Premier has told state parliament that Tasmania will not get an AFL team if special legislation to build a stadium is not passed.Recently, the state government ditched formal processes, instead promising legislation to enable the stadium to be built.What's next?A Tasmanian AFL team hinges on a new roofed stadium being built as a key condition of the government's deal with the league.abc.net.au/news/jeremy-rockliff-macquarie-point-stadium-ultimatum/105263436Link copiedShareShare articleTasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has issued an ultimatum to upper house MPs ahead of a vote on special legislation that would enable an AFL stadium on Hobart's waterfront, saying a Tasmanian AFL team won't go ahead unless the legislation passes.The state government promised to put forward special legislation to allow the stadium to be built, after saying it no longer had faith in the Project of State Significance (POSS) process being undertaken by the state's planning commission.Tasmanian government to ditch current planning process for AFL stadiumPhoto shows A render of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, showing a wood-panelled round structureThe Tasmanian government has been hinting it was seeking to move away from the planning process underway to assess the contentious Macquarie Point stadium. It's now official.It is yet to be released publicly, but is expected to be voted on in June.It's guaranteed to pass the lower house, where Labor has vowed its support, but needs two upper house independents on board for it to pass the Legislative Council.Mr Rockliff has told state parliament the special legislation will be the one and only vote Tasmanian politicians get on the stadium, and whether a Tasmanian team joins the AFL.Jeremy Rockliff says the special stadium legislation will be the only chance for Tasmania to get its AFL club. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)"If the legislation is not passed, the stadium won't go ahead and the team will not go ahead and the POSS process won't go ahead," Mr Rockliff told state parliament."The POSS process will end, it will all end, if we don't get this enabling legislation through."The construction of a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point is a key condition of the agreement for the 19th AFL licence struck between the Tasmanian government and the league.AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon last year visited the proposed stadium site with then sports minister Nic Street and Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive Anne Beach. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)It is unclear how the POSS process will be ended if the special legislation fails, but it's understood it would involve the Macquarie Point Development Corporation withdrawing from the process.Questions about whether the corporation has that power have been sent to the state government and the MPDC.MPs have been briefed that the enabling legislation will include a clause ending the Planning Commission's assessment of the stadium if it passes.Loading...Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 3:02amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesPakistan's prime minister vows India's attacks will 'not go unpunished'LIVEPhoto shows A man rides his motorbike through rubble in the darkLiberal leadership race narrows to two likely contenders, Ley and Taylor Topic:Liberal Party of AustraliaPhoto shows Angus Taylor Sussan LeyPeter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton walks through an airport with microphones and cameras surrounding him.ASIC takes action against Macquarie for 'significant' failuresTopic:Business and Industry RegulationPhoto shows Macquarie Group headquarters, SydneyA feedback loop tanked Dutton's campaign in its final weekAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Clive Palmer NPCRelated storiesNear the end of the election campaign, the federal Liberals considered another backflipAAnalysis by Adam LangenbergPhoto shows A concept image of the proposed Hobart stadium at Macquarie Poi nt.Anti-stadium activist meetings with report author disclosed weeks laterTopic:Urban Development and PlanningPhoto shows A man in a black suit and blue shirt posing for a photo sitting down.AFL games are played at a stadium 3km away — so why does Hobart need a brand new football arena?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows Ariel views of two stadiums side by side. 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