Three independent members of Tasmania's legislative council have announced their support for a controversial $1.13bn stadium on the Hobart waterfront, clearing the way for its approval in a parliamentary vote on Thursday.
Bec Thomas, Casey Hiscutt and Tanya Rattray expressed their backing during Wednesday's debate, citing additional conditions secured from the government. Thomas said the decision was the hardest she had ever made, but she had secured a fixed cap on the state's contribution, independent oversight, more grassroots sport funding, and local job targets.
The Macquarie Point stadium is a key condition of the AFL's agreement to grant Tasmania a licence for the Devils to enter the national competition in 2028. The project has been pursued since 2019 and faced widespread criticism, including from an independent planning assessment in September.
With the support of the three crossbenchers, the stadium is expected to pass the upper house, which has 15 members. The lower house already approved the project last month. Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor acknowledged the likely outcome, saying the independent expert evidence against the stadium now seemed moot.
