The Tasmanian AFL deal outlines that the Macquarie Point stadium must achieve practical completion by 31 December 2028, and it must have a roof.

Yesterday, Macquarie Point Development Corporation appeared to indicate that the Government was working towards a December 2030 completion timeline.

Completing the stadium by then would expose Tasmania to the long list of penalties built into the contract and means the Devils won’t take the field at Macquarie Point until the 2031 season.

And when Premier Rockliff spoke to the media he said there was an expectation for him to be open to different design options including a full or partial roof.

Peter Gutwein has already said that “Blind Freddy” could see that Jeremy Rockliff won’t meet the requirements outlined in the deal.

Is the Premier still committed to delivering a stadium by 2028? Or is he shifting the goalposts and accepting the penalty clauses because he knows he can’t get it done?

Luke Edmunds MLC
Shadow Minister for Sport & Events