Meg Webb MLC: Motion to parliament to release stadium costs

On Thursday 3 September, Meg Webb MLC tabled a Motion in the Upper House tracking the sorry history of cost increases announced by the Government and its associated “promises” about caps on contributions.

The Motion called on the Government to provide the latest version of both figures to the House prior to the signing of construction contracts.

Excerpt from the Motion

That the Council —

1. Notes in relation to the estimated total costs of the Macquarie Point Stadium (the stadium), and the estimated State Government contribution towards the stadium’s construction, the following;
   • On 1st of March 2022, when announced by then-Premier Peter Gutwein MP, the estimated cost for the stadium was $750 million;
   • On 18th of September 2022, when announcing Macquarie Point as the preferred new stadium location, Premier Jeremy Rockliff MP stated in a media release that: “the government is firm that it will cap its investment at $375 million”;
   • On the 15th of February 2024, prior the March 2024 state election, Premier Jeremy Rockliff MP stated in a media release that: “a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will cap Tasmanian Government capital expenditure on the Macquarie Point Stadium at the currently budgeted $375 million – and not one red cent more.”;
   • When announcing the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) had submitted the Project of State Significance application for the stadium to the Tasmanian Planning Commission on the 18th of September 2024, then Minister for Sports and Events Nic Street MP reiterated: “Our funding to this project is capped at $375 million.”;
   • On the 27th of May 2025, then Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz MP released draft enabling legislation for the stadium and also provided a revised total cost estimate of $945 million;
   • On the 18th of September 2025, the government announced a revised cost estimate of $1.13 billion for the stadium;
   • By the time the State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025 was debated in the Council on the 3rd of December 2025, Premier Jeremy Rockliff had committed to capping the state’s contribution to the stadium at $875 million;
2. Further notes:
   • Global economic instability due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continues to pose risks of escalation of the total stadium project cost estimate, and therefore, also to the expected state contribution, including any interest payable on borrowings;
   • Treasurer Eric Abetz MP on ABC Drive Radio on the 27th of July 2026 anticipated thecost of the proposed stadium could change by the end of the year and stated: “Until such time as we have a proper figure to announce the figure of $1.13 billion remains”;
3. Acknowledges:
   • The commitment made by the Leader for Government Business in the Legislative Council during debate on the State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025 on the 4th of December 2025, that: “if additional funds are required, it would need to be appropriated and that would occur in an appropriation bill or a supplementary appropriation bill.”;
   • Correspondence regarding the potential tabling of any revised stadium construction cost estimate following a motion passed by the House of Assembly, from the MPDC Board Chair to the Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal dated the 4th of August 2026, and tabled during Public Accounts Committee hearings which states: “If there are matters related to cost identified in the assessment process, I anticipate advice on this being provided to you at the end of September or early October”;
4. Recognises that in regard to Parliamentary scrutiny of significant state-funded infrastructure projects:
   • The usual approval process includes inquiry by the Public Works Committee, which routinely undertakes examination before the tender process has concluded and before any contract has been signed;
   • In the Public Works Committee process, the onus is upon government Departments to provide the Committee with sufficient information about cost estimates to enable it to make public value assessments as part of its deliberations;
   • While the Project of State Significance process excluded the Macquarie Point stadium project from Public Works Committee scrutiny, it should still be available to the Parliament to scrutinise and assess public value at a similar stage in the progress of that project without jeopardising tender and contract negotiations; and
5. Formally requests the Government, at the completion of the stadium project procurement process but prior to the formal signing or completion of the contract process with any successful tenderer, to provide to this House:
   • The highest likely cost of total project construction based on the successful tenderer’s bid and the proposed final contract terms, whether it remains $1.13 billion or is a revised amount; and
   • The estimated state contribution component of the total project construction cost as referred to in (5)(a), whether the state contribution remains $875 million or is a revised amount.