Karen Brown Photography
Media Release
26 February 2025
“Not since the Gunns pulp mill have we seen such an assault on our democratic processes as Labor is now proposing by trying to ram the stadium proposal through parliament before the Planning Commission has finished its work.
“A day after polling showed Labor and Liberal have completely failed to persuade Tasmanians that the stadium is necessary or needed, with 59% opposing it, a panicked Labor Party now seeks to destroy the proper planning process.
“If it succeeds, it will mean the Planning Commission will have to do away with public hearings. That will limit the assessment the Planning Commission can undertake and entirely cut out public hearings, stopping the Tasmanian community from responding to a project they clearly don’t want and ensuring Tasmanian voices are not heard.
“If Labor wants to guarantee they lose the critical seat of Braddon at the Federal election, this move will deliver it in an electorate where a large proportion oppose the stadium and many are furious at Anthony Albanese gifting, in a reckless breach of all Commonwealth convention, $240 million of GST money to the stadium build.”
Mr Browne said that if the Liberal government were to guarantee a vote in June, he can guarantee that there will be direct action when construction starts. “Here’s my message to the AFL – if you want national headlines about how much Tasmanians hate this bullying deal you have insisted on, you are going to get them.”
Mr Browne said the real failure to deliver is a failure by the State ALP to deliver a credible or effective opposition party. “Labor should remember 30% more of Tasmania oppose the stadium (59%) than voted for the ALP last election (29%). The real opposition parties and individuals were all present at our Public Meeting yesterday.”