For each election since the stadium debate started, we have published the results of our candidates’ survey. Many of you have found these a useful guide, so we have done the same this year to help those voting in two Upper House electorates on Saturday 2 May. And we asked the candidates one simple question:
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point?
This is how they responded, with results displayed in alphabetical order and exactly as they were written:
Rosevears
Two of the four candidates did not complete the survey.
Charlene McLennan
Tasmanian Greens
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? Yes
“The State budget is in a dire position, and our community is struggling in a cost of living crisis. It is incompetence to spend more than a billion dollars on a stadium that experts have said should not go ahead. We could instead provide funding to our invaluable teachers instead of rejecting their recent reasonable request and prioritise funding to other essential community services.”
Susan Monson
Independent
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? Yes
“I would love an AFL stadium – but we can’t afford it.”
Huon
Two of the six candidates did not complete the survey.
Paul Gibson
Tasmanian Greens
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? Yes
“The state budget is in a disastrous position and cost of living pressures are badly affecting many Tasmanians. Building a third stadium is a bad priority and now with the fuel crisis every percentage of budget increase is another $12 million in debt.
I support approaching the AFL commission to make our case to keep the Devils team with the intention of investing in a stadium where we want it and when the states finances are on a stable footing.
At this stage we need to prioritise capital expenditure on a new hospital and affordable housing.”
Tyler Petersen
Independent
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? No
“The stadium isn’t really a campaign issue at this stage. Agree or disagree, it has passed both Houses of Parliament with bipartisan support. I’m a pragmatist. The opinion of the next occupant of the seat is not going to change anything, frankly/respectfully. The focus now needs to be on proper oversight, scrutiny and transparency as it moves forward. I want to be a voice in Parliament for everyday people facing everyday problems, and ensure we deliver best possible outcomes for them moving forward. Focusing on polarising past decisions will only further drive division in the community.”
Clare Glade-Wright
Independent
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? Yes
“I do not support the stadium because the process behind it has been a corruption of proper planning and decision making. Tasmania already faces significant budget woes, with growing debt and limited capacity to fund essential services. Committing billions to a stadium whose design and costings have not been finalised risks diverting resources from urgent priorities while offering uncertain economic returns. I believe decisions of this scale should be guided by independent expert advice, not political pressure or short term ambition. If a genuinely viable alternative funding model existed that did not burden taxpayers, I would be open to reconsidering.”
Michael Rowan
Independent
If elected, will you oppose construction of an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point? Uncommitted
“I am not informed as to what would be the financial obligations the government will incur if the stadium build is halted. I am also concerned with the division in the community that will be created by the stadium proceeding, or being cancelled. We should not allow this to be a culture war. But neither can we allow the stadium build to proceed without confidence in the final cost being affordable. It is not obvious what is the best way out of this mess for Tasmania, and perhaps the most important thing is to learn from it as we face a host of difficult budget choices to save $300m a year for five years, just to stop going further into debt.”
The 2025 parliamentary vote on the Mac Point stadium was far from the final word on the matter. There are still many questions to be resolved before the final decision that will determine the future of the Mac Point precinct and how much Tasmanians are prepared to forego to secure State AFL/W teams.
We encourage votes for candidates who want to deliver a Mac Point site with amenities for all Tasmanians, while AFL is played at existing grounds. We encourage votes for candidates who believe in a sustainable budget, integrity in government and proper planning process. Electing two new members who have pledged to stand with us will make all the difference when crucial votes are taken in the future.
Where candidates have failed to respond, we are legally unable to report their position but we have serious doubts about their level of commitment to democratic process. For both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party, we know that they currently advocate publicly for a stadium at Macquarie Point. For all candidates, we have included links to sites that will give you more information about them.
We encourage you to do your own homework. And we recommend that, where you are considering parking your vote with a candidate who will vote NO to a stadium, you take the time to find out more about their other views. Our campaign is about a stadium but we would not encourage people to vote for NO STADIUM candidates who hold other policy positions likely to cause harm to Tasmanian communities or individuals.
Vote to spend our money on houses and healthcare, not a stadium!
Vote to ensure fair and democratic decisions about critical planning matters!
Get to know who is standing for the Legislative Council on 2 May 2026
Learn more about the candidates using these links:
Rosevears
- taslabor.org.au/people/ben-mckinnon
- Charlene McLennan, Legislative Council Candidate for Rosevears
- Susan Monson – Independent Candidate for Rosevears.
- https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/your-government/jo-palmer
Huon