Tasmania’s premier, Jeremy Rockliff, admits that he needs to do more to gain community support for a proposed $715 million stadium, which is a requirement for the state to obtain an Australian Football League (AFL) team. Rockliff attended a parliamentary inquiry on June 23 to discuss the planning behind the stadium project, which is set to be located at Macquarie Point on Hobart’s waterfront and have a seating capacity of 23,000. The AFL granted Tasmania the league’s 19th license after the federal government provided funding for the stadium in late April. However, there have been numerous protests against the stadium, with the state’s Labor opposition and the Greens opposing the plan as well. In addition, the governing Liberals have recently faced challenges as two MPs left the party, claiming a lack of transparency surrounding the stadium and AFL deal. Despite the opposition, Rockliff believes the stadium is an investment in the state’s future and will benefit tourism while inspiring the younger generation. He also mentioned that a plan for the broader Macquarie Point precinct, including affordable housing, will likely be completed by October 1. Rockliff justified his decision to proceed with the stadium, stating that governments are elected to make decisions in the best interests of the community. However, he acknowledged the need to bring the community along and admitted that more work needs to be done in that area. When asked about state treasury’s involvement in the AFL deal, Rockliff did not directly answer but stated that he had the authority to sign the deal and that his cabinet colleagues were aware of certain aspects, specifically the investment, as it was part of the budget decision. The stadium project is expected to be declared a project of state significance by October, subject to the approval process that involves both houses of parliament and assessment by the state planning commission. The state government has pledged $375 million towards the stadium, with the federal government contributing $240 million and the AFL providing $15 million. Additionally, the state government will allocate $12 million annually for 12 years towards a team and $60 million for a high-performance center. The AFL will invest about $360 million over a decade into the club, with a proposed start date of 2028.