Albanese discusses the future of AFL in Tasmania with The Waterboys

7HOFM’s sports program, The Waterboys celebrated their 500th episode in style recently, welcoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on to talk sports, the PM’s personal sporting history and the proposed Hobart AFL team and stadium. 

During the interview, Mr Albanese detailed his time on the board of the NRL’s South Sydney Rabbitohs and his past as a young NRL player before touching on the future of the Tasmanian team and stadium.

Exploring the areas of funding required for the construction of the stadium, The Waterboys probed the federal government’s required $240 million contribution to the Macquaire Point prospect, which is just a piece of the $715 million dollar pie.

The Waterboys asked where the federal government is currently sitting with the prospect and what the projected timeline looks like.

“We are examining it in the lead-up to our May budget through the Department of Infrastructure. I’m very supportive of Tasmania getting an AFL team, but I’m also very cautious of the use of taxpayer dollars and it’s got to go to the most effective form of investment,” said Mr Albanese. 

“It’s such a beautiful spot there in Hobart, and it’s not being used effectively quite clearly at the moment . . . I’m supportive of a Tasmanian AFL team I’ve been supportive for a long period of time, and I think to have a truly national competition, you need a Tasmanian team to be a part of the league given what an AFL state it is . . .”

The interview explores the realities of the funding, including the Tasmanian Labor Party’s opposition to the project due to their focus on housing and health.

“Well of course it’s up to the state political parties to determine their priorities, and health of course is the number one priority that most Australians will say is needed going forward, and that’s why any stadium proposal needs to look at what the return will be on any investment,” Mr Albanese said. 

“Will it pay itself off over time by bringing people to Tasmania, by bringing economic activity that will occur? And that’s part of the analysis that my government are doing.”

Listen to the entire discussion below.