Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sceptical about Federal Government backing for proposed Hobart Stadium

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has raised questions over whether the Federal Government will contribute funds for the proposed AFL stadium in Hobart.

With the AFL having previously advised that a new stadium is key to Tasmania securing a 19th Club licence for the competition, the Tasmanian Government is seeking $240 million toward the projected $715 million cost of the new venue (less than an originally budgeted $750 million).

The Federal Government’s previous largest contribution to a sports stadium was $100 million for the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Speaking to the SEN sport radio network today about the Tasmanian Government’s proposal, Prime Minister Albanese advised “we do (have the business case for the stadium).

“That’s being looked at by the infrastructure department.

“It needs to be seen not as just an AFL stadium; it needs to be seen as an urban redevelopment project there at Macquarie Point.”

Even if Hobart's new stadium is developed, Prime Minister Albanese suggested that a Tasmanian AFL would not play all its matches at the new venue and would also host fixtures in Launceston, going on to tell SEN Test Cricket "part of the business case as well has to look at the development of the Launceston ground as well - not quite sure what it’s called these days given stadiums change their names according to sponsors. But you would need, I think, to make sure games are played in the north as well as the south.

“I’m not a Tasmanian but I’ve been to Tasmania enough times to know that’s an issue to rival Melbourne-Sydney.”

Prime Minister Albanese also suggested the AFL may have to consider investing more in the stadium, adding “we’re having a constructive look at it. The AFL need to do their bit as well I’ve got to say, as well as the Tassie State Government.

“I’ve had really constructive discussions with Jeremy Rockliff, the Tassie Premier… of course, it would be a very good thing if Tasmania had an AFL team.

“It’s a national competition, if you were going back a bit you might have reconsidered some of the decisions that have been made given Tasmania is an AFL state.”

The prospects of new stadium in Hobart has dominated local media, politics and debate in Tasmania over recent months.

Past Federal Government backing major stadia
Federal Government funding for major stadia has been inconsistent in recent years.

Perth's news Optus Stadium and the rebuilding of Sydney's Allianz Stadium received no Federal monies while the Adelaide Oval redevelopment received a $30 million commitment in 2011 and Sydney's CommBank Stadium received $20 million.

The Federal Government has regularly backed regional venues, the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville received a $100 million Federal contribution - 40% of the project cost - and the Port Adelaide Football Club has received $15 million in funding from the Federal Government for the redevelopment of its Alberton Oval base.

In 2001, the last major redevelopment of the MCG received $90 million from the Federal Goverment.

Any Federal funding for a new stadium in Hobart will likely prompt the ACT Government to call for similar monies for a stadium in Canberra.

Image: The AFL's concept for a new stadium.