The fate of an entire state rests in the hands of eight people — so goes the next chapter of the incredibly long story that is Tasmania’s AFL stadium. That the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recommended against building the $1 billion stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart was never really the point. Prior to the snap election in July, Premier Jeremy Rockliff had already set in motion the real pathway to “getting it built” regardless of the advice: special enabling legislation, set to be introduced in November.
He wants needs the legislation to pass both houses of government by Christmas if there is to be any chance of meeting the AFL’s imposed deadlines — team to begin playing in the 2028 season, with first bounce at the new stadium in 2029.
It will pass Tasmania’s lower house easily, supported by Labor. But in the upper chamber, the 15-seat Legislative Council breaks down like this: three Liberals, three Labor, one Greens MLC, and eight independents.
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The indies are the majority, and the legislation cannot pass without support from at least three of them. Why not only two? Despite both major parties supporting the stadium, Labor’s Craig Farrell as the chamber president will not vote except in the case of a tie — and convention dictates he should vote against, as the legislation would not have found outright support.
It’s these eight independents who will decide how the next chapter of the stadium story reads (because lord knows it doesn’t end here). And it’s these eight who are being assessed and targeted by the various groups lobbying for and against one of the biggest state infrastructure projects in Tasmania’s history.
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So, where do they stand? While most are understandably keeping things close to the chest for now, here’s what we know so far.
Leaning Against
Mike Gaffney, Mersey (north Tasmania, Devonport region)
Gaffney is expected to vote against the stadium legislation. He cited the “cost blowout” in an April 2025 speech, months before the latest increased cost estimate of $1.13 billion.
“The government has failed to recognise and act on the distinction between the community desire for an AFL team and the great costs that will be imposed by the Macquarie Point Stadium. Consequently, it has left behind Tasmania’s fiscal interests … Tasmania must renegotiate to dictate its own economic future and not be beholden to the interests of the presidents of the AFL.”
In June, Gaffney was one of the 21 politicians to sign the open letter to AFL boss Andrew Dillon asking him to renegotiate the deal.
Meg Webb, Nelson (south Tasmania, Hobart region)
The proposed stadium location of Macquarie Point sits in the Hobart division; Webb represents the neighbouring electoral division of Nelson. She has been a vocal critic of the secrecy surrounding the stadium deal that Rockliff signed with the AFL, and the “misleading, unaccountable behaviour” she says the government has displayed since.
In April, after the release of independent economist Nicholas Gruen’s report into the stadium costs, Webb raised a motion calling on the government to renegotiate the terms of the AFL contract — in particular the location and timeframe of the stadium. It was defeated in a 4-10 vote.
Webb also signed the open letter to Andrew Dillon.
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Rosemary Armitage, Launceston
While Armitage remains officially undecided, in February she told The Examiner that she wanted to hear the “final decision” of the planning commission. As we now know, that advice was that the project should not go ahead.
Armitage has previously posted that she believes playing out of an upgraded York Park — located in her own division — is the better plan, stating that Macquarie Point is something “I personally don’t believe we need or can afford”. Armitage also signed the open letter to Andrew Dillon.
Leaning For
Casey Hiscutt, Montgomery (north-west Tasmania, Burnie region)
Hiscutt was elected for the first time in May, succeeding his mother, Leonie Hiscutt, who had held the division for the Liberals since 2013. During his election campaign Casey said he would support the proposed stadium as he believes it will offer opportunities for young people to remain in Tasmania. “Most of my friends have left Tasmania and found jobs in Western Australia for the money or Victoria for the exciting lifestyle,” he told The Mercury.
Of the alternative idea to upgrade the existing York Park stadium in Launceston and have the Tasmania Devils play there, Hiscutt said: “You can play football at York Park but a club can’t make money at York Park.”
Tania Rattray, McIntyre (north-east Tasmania)
Rattray was recently appointed by Rockliff as the leader for the government, a gesture of collaboration to the independent-led upper house. As leader, she is responsible for introducing government legislation to the Legislative Council.
While Rattray retains her independent status in the role and it does not impose any formal condition that she vote with the Liberals, she told the ABC she will do so except in cases where “there is something that I strongly disagree with that the people of McIntyre have asked me not to support”. In those instances, she would not bring the legislation to the chamber — presumably leaving it to be introduced by a Liberal MLC.
In 2023 Rattray gave a speech in favour of the team and stadium. She voted against Webb’s motion to renegotiate the deal.
Undecided
Bec Thomas, Elwick (suburban and outer-suburban areas of Hobart)
Months ago Thomas was identified by politically-motivated footy fans as one of their best targets to approve the stadium, despite having been consistent in her message: she was concerned about cost and the future economic burden. She wanted to wait for the planning commission’s advice. Now that it’s out, she told ABC Radio Hobart’s Leon Compton she will “take time to critically analyse” the commission’s report and the specifics of the legislation the government puts forward.
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She was pressed on her ‘undecided’ status by an anti-stadium member of the public at an event in July, to which she responded: “I assure you I am listening to all views”.
Thomas voted against Webb’s motion to renegotiate the deal.
Ruth Forrest, Murchison (west coast of Tasmania)
Forrest did not support fellow independent Meg Webb’s motion calling for a renegotiation of the AFL deal, writing on LinkedIn that she did not want to interrupt the planning commission process — which at that time was already underway, though not yet complete. While she accepts the need for new facilities to support an AFL team, Forrest said the onus was on the Liberal government to earn the approval of the legislation. “If the government are [sic] unable to demonstrate the proposal should be approved, it shouldn’t be. There are so many other pressing matters in this state that need investment and whilst infrastructure that creates intergenerational benefits is welcome it cannot be at the expense of other services and infrastructure that is needed.”
More recently, she told the ABC she supported the stadium “but not at any cost”, and has repeatedly raised concerns over the rising building costs and fiscal planning of the Macquarie Point project.
Dean Harriss, Huon (south-west of Hobart, Huon Valley region)
Harriss has kept mum on the topic of the stadium altogether. Crikey has contacted Harriss for comment. He voted against Webb’s motion to renegotiate the deal.
Should Tasmania build the stadium, or is the cost too great?
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