Macquarie Point AFL stadium issue a vote changer, YouSay polling reveals ahead of Tasmanian state election

Australia Broadcast Center

9 hours ago

For Tasmanians, the proposed Macquarie Point stadium is likely to play at least some role in who they vote for at the upcoming state election.
According to ABC YourSay data, the stadium remains the hot-button issue.
And of more than 1,000 respondents across the first two weeks of the campaign, the vast majority referenced the stadium as a key issue — or at least something they are thinking about ahead of polling day.
So, what are Tasmanians telling the ABC when it comes to the stadium?
And could the stadium act as a vote changer for Tasmanians?
First-time state Greens candidate Vanessa Bleyer, who is running in the north-west seat of Braddon, believes so.
"Nine out of ten people in Braddon are raising the stadium to me very quickly as a core issue to them in their state election," she said.
"At least half of the people I've spoken to who are opposed to funding a billion-dollar stadium in Hobart are changing their vote to oppose that funding."
Ms Bleyer's experience has been reflected in a number of YourSay responses.
Leanne in Devonport said she could flip her vote.
Beatrice in Shearwater voted Labor at the May federal election, but could also swing to the Greens because of the stadium.
"I would like to vote Labor as I'm pleased with federal Labor, but I can't if they're going ahead with the stadium. So, it's the Greens for me this time," she said.
Ms Bleyer said she'd spoken to both Labor and Liberal voters who planned on changing their vote to oppose the stadium.
Independent candidate Craig Garland, who is seeking re-election in Braddon, said he was being delivered a clear message by his constituents.
"The amount of people emailing and stopping me in the street and telling me 'if you support the stadium, you haven't got my vote', it's quite clear it's the number one issue for them," he said.
Among those in attendance at north-west football grounds, opinions were split.
"I don't think it should be a cut-throat deal, no stadium no team," Melissa Bishop said, referring to the AFL's stipulation that without the roofed stadium at Macquarie Point, Tasmania does not get to enter a team into the national competition.
But she said it wouldn't influence her vote.
"It's definitely not at the top of my priorities," she said.
"It'd be better off in Launceston. It'd be fairer for the rest of the state," Doug Rowlings from Devonport told the ABC.
"People in Smithton aren't going to travel all the way to Hobart for a game of football, then travel home," he said.
While not eligible to vote, Circular Head junior footballer Harvey Vanderlaan, aged 13, said he would like to see the stadium.
Liberal candidate for Bass Rob Fairs, whose electorate takes in the northern city of Launceston, said the Devils AFL team was coming up regularly while he was doorknocking.
"While people are taking the opportunity to hear about the benefits a stadium will bring them in the north, they know what's at stake and they are telling me they'll vote to save the dream," he said.
Hamish in West Launceston told YourSay it was "critical" that a Jeremy Rockliff-led Liberal government was re-elected so that the stadium could be built.
While David in Whitemark on Flinders Island said his vote would change.
"At the next election, I will be voting for the Liberal party for the first time ever," he told YourSay.
Lesley in Newstead, also in Bass, said they would be voting informally because of the stadium.
"I cannot place a valid vote.
Independent candidate for the southern seat of Franklin, David O'Byrne, who is also the president of the Southern Football League, believed the stadium would be a vote changer, but mostly for people who supported the proposal.
"The people who are against the stadium are predominantly staying where they are, in my view," he said.
He also said he believed it would mobilise the southern football community, given the timing of the election.
"The election is in the middle of football season, and the biggest issue for a lot of sporting communities is the Devils and the stadium and what that brings. It's clear that without the stadium, you can't deliver a team and football clubs know that," he said.
A number of Franklin voters said the stadium issue would force their vote to change.
"I have voted Labor for almost 50 years but will not be voting for the Labor party this election," Chris in Howrah told YourSay.
While Bernard, also of Howrah, could also swing towards the pro-stadium Liberals.
"It's vitally important that the stadium goes ahead to the extent that I'm considering voting Liberal for the first time in my life," he said.
A swing away from the Labor party, based on their pro-stadium stance, was a theme amongst YourSay respondents.
Labor candidate for Clark Luke Martin, who has been doorknocking Hobart's northern suburbs, said the stadium was not a prominent issue among his potential constituents.
"While a few people have raised the stadium, with a range of views, it's clear that most are focused on issues that affect their day-to-day lives, like health, housing, the cost of living and growing concerns about crime in Glenorchy."
Older Tasmanians have so far been far more likely to respond to the survey, with about three-quarters of respondents between the ages of 60 and 69 years old.
The stadium was a strong theme amongst this cohort, with 66 per cent of them specifically referencing the stadium as a key election issue.
Of the 22 respondents who gave their age as being between 15 and 29, the stadium rated as only a lukewarm topic.
Lachlan of Moonah wanted less focus on the stadium and more focus on "the Liberal government's lack of financial responsibility".
James of New Norfolk said the state election wasn't a "stadium referendum" and health and housing should be the main focus for voters.
Art student Dan did not want to see the stadium built, while other young people were more concerned about the closure of Ashley detention centre, public transport and a greater focus on LGBTIQ+ issues.