Latest news with #Anti-salmon
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Minority premier takes campaign crack at independents
Tasmania's Liberal premier has taken a swipe at "single-issue" independents as he attempts to turn voters away from another minority government scenario. The island state is heading to the polls on July 19, the second time in two years, after its parliament passed a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. The Liberals have governed in minority since 2023, and collapsing relationships with the crossbench have triggered the past two elections. Opinion polls show the Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority. The Liberals held their official campaign launch at a car dealership in Launceston on Sunday. "I know many Tasmanians feel good about voting for an independent. But look at how it's worked out," Mr Rockliff told party faithful. "Despite our very best efforts, because of political games played by Labor, the Greens and some independents, it has been a recipe for instability and uncertainty. "Independents, especially those single-issue independents, are not the answer. They are threatening the very future of our state. "They will continue to create uncertainty. And hurl us straight back to where we have been." The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was passed with the votes of Labor, the Greens and three crossbenchers. According to polling in May, Labor has the support of 31 per cent of voters, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent split between minor parties, independents and "other". Incumbent independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to vote for the no-confidence motion, has the backing of notable federal independent Andrew Wilkie. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a run at the federal election in May, is having a tilt at state parliament. The Nationals are seeking to capitalise on anti-major party sentiment by running candidates including former Liberal John Tucker. Mr Tucker quit the Liberals to sit on the crossbench in 2023, plunging the government into minority. He campaigned outside the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday with a truck emblazoned with the Nationals' opposition to a new stadium in Hobart. Construction of the stadium, supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by some minor parties and independents, is a condition of Tasmania's entry into the AFL in 2028. Mr Rockliff used the Liberal campaign rally to announce a $240 million investment to deliver 250 more hospital beds. The campaign has been bereft of major funding announcements, with the state's growing debt under the Liberals a major reason for the no-confidence motion. Labor leader Dean Winter has spruiked a plan to find $1 billion in budget savings and establish a budget repair round table. The state's chamber of commerce and industry on Sunday threw its support behind the round table idea. "(Their) support reflects a growing consensus ... that we can't continue to ignore the crisis created by the Liberals," Mr Winter said.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Minority premier takes campaign crack at independents
Tasmania's Liberal premier has taken a swipe at "single-issue" independents as he attempts to turn voters away from another minority government scenario. The island state is heading to the polls on July 19, the second time in two years, after its parliament passed a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. The Liberals have governed in minority since 2023, and collapsing relationships with the crossbench have triggered the past two elections. Opinion polls show the Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority. The Liberals held their official campaign launch at a car dealership in Launceston on Sunday. "I know many Tasmanians feel good about voting for an independent. But look at how it's worked out," Mr Rockliff told party faithful. "Despite our very best efforts, because of political games played by Labor, the Greens and some independents, it has been a recipe for instability and uncertainty. "Independents, especially those single-issue independents, are not the answer. They are threatening the very future of our state. "They will continue to create uncertainty. And hurl us straight back to where we have been." The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was passed with the votes of Labor, the Greens and three crossbenchers. According to polling in May, Labor has the support of 31 per cent of voters, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent split between minor parties, independents and "other". Incumbent independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to vote for the no-confidence motion, has the backing of notable federal independent Andrew Wilkie. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a run at the federal election in May, is having a tilt at state parliament. The Nationals are seeking to capitalise on anti-major party sentiment by running candidates including former Liberal John Tucker. Mr Tucker quit the Liberals to sit on the crossbench in 2023, plunging the government into minority. He campaigned outside the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday with a truck emblazoned with the Nationals' opposition to a new stadium in Hobart. Construction of the stadium, supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by some minor parties and independents, is a condition of Tasmania's entry into the AFL in 2028. Mr Rockliff used the Liberal campaign rally to announce a $240 million investment to deliver 250 more hospital beds. The campaign has been bereft of major funding announcements, with the state's growing debt under the Liberals a major reason for the no-confidence motion. Labor leader Dean Winter has spruiked a plan to find $1 billion in budget savings and establish a budget repair round table. The state's chamber of commerce and industry on Sunday threw its support behind the round table idea. "(Their) support reflects a growing consensus ... that we can't continue to ignore the crisis created by the Liberals," Mr Winter said. Tasmania's Liberal premier has taken a swipe at "single-issue" independents as he attempts to turn voters away from another minority government scenario. The island state is heading to the polls on July 19, the second time in two years, after its parliament passed a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. The Liberals have governed in minority since 2023, and collapsing relationships with the crossbench have triggered the past two elections. Opinion polls show the Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority. The Liberals held their official campaign launch at a car dealership in Launceston on Sunday. "I know many Tasmanians feel good about voting for an independent. But look at how it's worked out," Mr Rockliff told party faithful. "Despite our very best efforts, because of political games played by Labor, the Greens and some independents, it has been a recipe for instability and uncertainty. "Independents, especially those single-issue independents, are not the answer. They are threatening the very future of our state. "They will continue to create uncertainty. And hurl us straight back to where we have been." The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was passed with the votes of Labor, the Greens and three crossbenchers. According to polling in May, Labor has the support of 31 per cent of voters, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent split between minor parties, independents and "other". Incumbent independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to vote for the no-confidence motion, has the backing of notable federal independent Andrew Wilkie. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a run at the federal election in May, is having a tilt at state parliament. The Nationals are seeking to capitalise on anti-major party sentiment by running candidates including former Liberal John Tucker. Mr Tucker quit the Liberals to sit on the crossbench in 2023, plunging the government into minority. He campaigned outside the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday with a truck emblazoned with the Nationals' opposition to a new stadium in Hobart. Construction of the stadium, supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by some minor parties and independents, is a condition of Tasmania's entry into the AFL in 2028. Mr Rockliff used the Liberal campaign rally to announce a $240 million investment to deliver 250 more hospital beds. The campaign has been bereft of major funding announcements, with the state's growing debt under the Liberals a major reason for the no-confidence motion. Labor leader Dean Winter has spruiked a plan to find $1 billion in budget savings and establish a budget repair round table. The state's chamber of commerce and industry on Sunday threw its support behind the round table idea. "(Their) support reflects a growing consensus ... that we can't continue to ignore the crisis created by the Liberals," Mr Winter said. Tasmania's Liberal premier has taken a swipe at "single-issue" independents as he attempts to turn voters away from another minority government scenario. The island state is heading to the polls on July 19, the second time in two years, after its parliament passed a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. The Liberals have governed in minority since 2023, and collapsing relationships with the crossbench have triggered the past two elections. Opinion polls show the Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority. The Liberals held their official campaign launch at a car dealership in Launceston on Sunday. "I know many Tasmanians feel good about voting for an independent. But look at how it's worked out," Mr Rockliff told party faithful. "Despite our very best efforts, because of political games played by Labor, the Greens and some independents, it has been a recipe for instability and uncertainty. "Independents, especially those single-issue independents, are not the answer. They are threatening the very future of our state. "They will continue to create uncertainty. And hurl us straight back to where we have been." The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was passed with the votes of Labor, the Greens and three crossbenchers. According to polling in May, Labor has the support of 31 per cent of voters, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent split between minor parties, independents and "other". Incumbent independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to vote for the no-confidence motion, has the backing of notable federal independent Andrew Wilkie. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a run at the federal election in May, is having a tilt at state parliament. The Nationals are seeking to capitalise on anti-major party sentiment by running candidates including former Liberal John Tucker. Mr Tucker quit the Liberals to sit on the crossbench in 2023, plunging the government into minority. He campaigned outside the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday with a truck emblazoned with the Nationals' opposition to a new stadium in Hobart. Construction of the stadium, supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by some minor parties and independents, is a condition of Tasmania's entry into the AFL in 2028. Mr Rockliff used the Liberal campaign rally to announce a $240 million investment to deliver 250 more hospital beds. The campaign has been bereft of major funding announcements, with the state's growing debt under the Liberals a major reason for the no-confidence motion. Labor leader Dean Winter has spruiked a plan to find $1 billion in budget savings and establish a budget repair round table. The state's chamber of commerce and industry on Sunday threw its support behind the round table idea. "(Their) support reflects a growing consensus ... that we can't continue to ignore the crisis created by the Liberals," Mr Winter said. Tasmania's Liberal premier has taken a swipe at "single-issue" independents as he attempts to turn voters away from another minority government scenario. The island state is heading to the polls on July 19, the second time in two years, after its parliament passed a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. The Liberals have governed in minority since 2023, and collapsing relationships with the crossbench have triggered the past two elections. Opinion polls show the Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority. The Liberals held their official campaign launch at a car dealership in Launceston on Sunday. "I know many Tasmanians feel good about voting for an independent. But look at how it's worked out," Mr Rockliff told party faithful. "Despite our very best efforts, because of political games played by Labor, the Greens and some independents, it has been a recipe for instability and uncertainty. "Independents, especially those single-issue independents, are not the answer. They are threatening the very future of our state. "They will continue to create uncertainty. And hurl us straight back to where we have been." The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was passed with the votes of Labor, the Greens and three crossbenchers. According to polling in May, Labor has the support of 31 per cent of voters, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent split between minor parties, independents and "other". Incumbent independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to vote for the no-confidence motion, has the backing of notable federal independent Andrew Wilkie. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a run at the federal election in May, is having a tilt at state parliament. The Nationals are seeking to capitalise on anti-major party sentiment by running candidates including former Liberal John Tucker. Mr Tucker quit the Liberals to sit on the crossbench in 2023, plunging the government into minority. He campaigned outside the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday with a truck emblazoned with the Nationals' opposition to a new stadium in Hobart. Construction of the stadium, supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by some minor parties and independents, is a condition of Tasmania's entry into the AFL in 2028. Mr Rockliff used the Liberal campaign rally to announce a $240 million investment to deliver 250 more hospital beds. The campaign has been bereft of major funding announcements, with the state's growing debt under the Liberals a major reason for the no-confidence motion. Labor leader Dean Winter has spruiked a plan to find $1 billion in budget savings and establish a budget repair round table. The state's chamber of commerce and industry on Sunday threw its support behind the round table idea. "(Their) support reflects a growing consensus ... that we can't continue to ignore the crisis created by the Liberals," Mr Winter said.
The Advertiser
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Premier cans privatisations amid political turmoil
No state-owned businesses will be sold off, the Tasmanian premier has declared, following a week of political turmoil. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has ruled out privatisations in an attempt to diffuse opposition attacks, with the possibility of selling some government entities among Labor's reasons for moving a vote of no confidence against the premier. Prominent economist Saul Eslake had been preparing a report on viable opportunities to sell government-owned businesses to support the state's troubled finances. Mr Rockliff has now put a stop to that work. "Labor has forced this early election on the deceitful campaign that our government intends to divest government-owned businesses – before Mr Eslake's work is even completed," he said on Saturday. But Labor shadow treasurer Josh Willie said privatising government assets was "in their DNA" regardless of the latest statements from the premier. "They didn't take it to the last election and they tried to sell Tasmanian assets," he told reporters in Hobart on Saturday. "So they will try to do it again, and the only way to stop them is to not vote for them." The political ructions look to set send Tasmanians back to the polls for the fourth time in seven years unless the Liberal party opts to remove Mr Rockliff and negotiate a new deal with crossbenchers. An election could be called on Tuesday. Senior Liberal figures including Senator Jonno Duniam are calling the prospect of a snap election "nuts". "I would have thought every effort should be put into not going to an election ... the people that lose out most in all this - forget the parliamentarians - it's the people of Tassie," he told ABC Radio. Analysts tip an unpredictable campaign given the nature of the political drama, with candidates from the federal election in May adding another dimension. Ex-federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer is viewed as a likely candidate in Bass should Mr Rockliff hang on. Anti-salmon independent Peter George, who ran Julie Collins close in the safe federal seat of Franklin, told AAP he was considering his options. Opposition leader Dean Winter moved the no-confidence motion due to the state budget, which included ballooning deficits and debt forecasts and the proposals to privatise state assets. However, it's the stadium that looms as the biggest issue. Veteran political campaigner Brad Stansfield, who has worked on the Liberals' last four election wins, said it would be issue No.1. "At the last election ... we mostly kept it hidden from the campaign," he said on his FontCast podcast. "This campaign is going to be the referendum on the AFL stadium that we haven't yet had. It is coming like a steam train." The roofed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of an AFL licence, with the state government responsible for delivery and cost overruns. But recent polls suggest Tasmanians are not sold on the need for a new stadium. Labor and the Liberals support the stadium, but Mr Stansfield said Mr Rockliff would be the one to pay the electoral price. "If you don't like the stadium, you will vote against the Liberals," he said. Roland Browne, spokesperson for the anti-stadium Our Place group, told AAP they would campaign if there was an election. Mr Browne said he could see a scenario where one or both of the major parties would join the Greens in opposing the project. No state-owned businesses will be sold off, the Tasmanian premier has declared, following a week of political turmoil. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has ruled out privatisations in an attempt to diffuse opposition attacks, with the possibility of selling some government entities among Labor's reasons for moving a vote of no confidence against the premier. Prominent economist Saul Eslake had been preparing a report on viable opportunities to sell government-owned businesses to support the state's troubled finances. Mr Rockliff has now put a stop to that work. "Labor has forced this early election on the deceitful campaign that our government intends to divest government-owned businesses – before Mr Eslake's work is even completed," he said on Saturday. But Labor shadow treasurer Josh Willie said privatising government assets was "in their DNA" regardless of the latest statements from the premier. "They didn't take it to the last election and they tried to sell Tasmanian assets," he told reporters in Hobart on Saturday. "So they will try to do it again, and the only way to stop them is to not vote for them." The political ructions look to set send Tasmanians back to the polls for the fourth time in seven years unless the Liberal party opts to remove Mr Rockliff and negotiate a new deal with crossbenchers. An election could be called on Tuesday. Senior Liberal figures including Senator Jonno Duniam are calling the prospect of a snap election "nuts". "I would have thought every effort should be put into not going to an election ... the people that lose out most in all this - forget the parliamentarians - it's the people of Tassie," he told ABC Radio. Analysts tip an unpredictable campaign given the nature of the political drama, with candidates from the federal election in May adding another dimension. Ex-federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer is viewed as a likely candidate in Bass should Mr Rockliff hang on. Anti-salmon independent Peter George, who ran Julie Collins close in the safe federal seat of Franklin, told AAP he was considering his options. Opposition leader Dean Winter moved the no-confidence motion due to the state budget, which included ballooning deficits and debt forecasts and the proposals to privatise state assets. However, it's the stadium that looms as the biggest issue. Veteran political campaigner Brad Stansfield, who has worked on the Liberals' last four election wins, said it would be issue No.1. "At the last election ... we mostly kept it hidden from the campaign," he said on his FontCast podcast. "This campaign is going to be the referendum on the AFL stadium that we haven't yet had. It is coming like a steam train." The roofed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of an AFL licence, with the state government responsible for delivery and cost overruns. But recent polls suggest Tasmanians are not sold on the need for a new stadium. Labor and the Liberals support the stadium, but Mr Stansfield said Mr Rockliff would be the one to pay the electoral price. "If you don't like the stadium, you will vote against the Liberals," he said. Roland Browne, spokesperson for the anti-stadium Our Place group, told AAP they would campaign if there was an election. Mr Browne said he could see a scenario where one or both of the major parties would join the Greens in opposing the project. No state-owned businesses will be sold off, the Tasmanian premier has declared, following a week of political turmoil. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has ruled out privatisations in an attempt to diffuse opposition attacks, with the possibility of selling some government entities among Labor's reasons for moving a vote of no confidence against the premier. Prominent economist Saul Eslake had been preparing a report on viable opportunities to sell government-owned businesses to support the state's troubled finances. Mr Rockliff has now put a stop to that work. "Labor has forced this early election on the deceitful campaign that our government intends to divest government-owned businesses – before Mr Eslake's work is even completed," he said on Saturday. But Labor shadow treasurer Josh Willie said privatising government assets was "in their DNA" regardless of the latest statements from the premier. "They didn't take it to the last election and they tried to sell Tasmanian assets," he told reporters in Hobart on Saturday. "So they will try to do it again, and the only way to stop them is to not vote for them." The political ructions look to set send Tasmanians back to the polls for the fourth time in seven years unless the Liberal party opts to remove Mr Rockliff and negotiate a new deal with crossbenchers. An election could be called on Tuesday. Senior Liberal figures including Senator Jonno Duniam are calling the prospect of a snap election "nuts". "I would have thought every effort should be put into not going to an election ... the people that lose out most in all this - forget the parliamentarians - it's the people of Tassie," he told ABC Radio. Analysts tip an unpredictable campaign given the nature of the political drama, with candidates from the federal election in May adding another dimension. Ex-federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer is viewed as a likely candidate in Bass should Mr Rockliff hang on. Anti-salmon independent Peter George, who ran Julie Collins close in the safe federal seat of Franklin, told AAP he was considering his options. Opposition leader Dean Winter moved the no-confidence motion due to the state budget, which included ballooning deficits and debt forecasts and the proposals to privatise state assets. However, it's the stadium that looms as the biggest issue. Veteran political campaigner Brad Stansfield, who has worked on the Liberals' last four election wins, said it would be issue No.1. "At the last election ... we mostly kept it hidden from the campaign," he said on his FontCast podcast. "This campaign is going to be the referendum on the AFL stadium that we haven't yet had. It is coming like a steam train." The roofed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of an AFL licence, with the state government responsible for delivery and cost overruns. But recent polls suggest Tasmanians are not sold on the need for a new stadium. Labor and the Liberals support the stadium, but Mr Stansfield said Mr Rockliff would be the one to pay the electoral price. "If you don't like the stadium, you will vote against the Liberals," he said. Roland Browne, spokesperson for the anti-stadium Our Place group, told AAP they would campaign if there was an election. Mr Browne said he could see a scenario where one or both of the major parties would join the Greens in opposing the project. No state-owned businesses will be sold off, the Tasmanian premier has declared, following a week of political turmoil. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has ruled out privatisations in an attempt to diffuse opposition attacks, with the possibility of selling some government entities among Labor's reasons for moving a vote of no confidence against the premier. Prominent economist Saul Eslake had been preparing a report on viable opportunities to sell government-owned businesses to support the state's troubled finances. Mr Rockliff has now put a stop to that work. "Labor has forced this early election on the deceitful campaign that our government intends to divest government-owned businesses – before Mr Eslake's work is even completed," he said on Saturday. But Labor shadow treasurer Josh Willie said privatising government assets was "in their DNA" regardless of the latest statements from the premier. "They didn't take it to the last election and they tried to sell Tasmanian assets," he told reporters in Hobart on Saturday. "So they will try to do it again, and the only way to stop them is to not vote for them." The political ructions look to set send Tasmanians back to the polls for the fourth time in seven years unless the Liberal party opts to remove Mr Rockliff and negotiate a new deal with crossbenchers. An election could be called on Tuesday. Senior Liberal figures including Senator Jonno Duniam are calling the prospect of a snap election "nuts". "I would have thought every effort should be put into not going to an election ... the people that lose out most in all this - forget the parliamentarians - it's the people of Tassie," he told ABC Radio. Analysts tip an unpredictable campaign given the nature of the political drama, with candidates from the federal election in May adding another dimension. Ex-federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer is viewed as a likely candidate in Bass should Mr Rockliff hang on. Anti-salmon independent Peter George, who ran Julie Collins close in the safe federal seat of Franklin, told AAP he was considering his options. Opposition leader Dean Winter moved the no-confidence motion due to the state budget, which included ballooning deficits and debt forecasts and the proposals to privatise state assets. However, it's the stadium that looms as the biggest issue. Veteran political campaigner Brad Stansfield, who has worked on the Liberals' last four election wins, said it would be issue No.1. "At the last election ... we mostly kept it hidden from the campaign," he said on his FontCast podcast. "This campaign is going to be the referendum on the AFL stadium that we haven't yet had. It is coming like a steam train." The roofed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of an AFL licence, with the state government responsible for delivery and cost overruns. But recent polls suggest Tasmanians are not sold on the need for a new stadium. Labor and the Liberals support the stadium, but Mr Stansfield said Mr Rockliff would be the one to pay the electoral price. "If you don't like the stadium, you will vote against the Liberals," he said. Roland Browne, spokesperson for the anti-stadium Our Place group, told AAP they would campaign if there was an election. Mr Browne said he could see a scenario where one or both of the major parties would join the Greens in opposing the project.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Game on for state election 'referendum' on AFL stadium
Opponents of a billion-dollar waterfront stadium proposal that would play home to a Tasmanian AFL team vow to step up campaigning if a snap election is called. They will be met with the voices of Tasmanian AFL legends - such as the Riewoldts, Matthew Richardson and Brendon Gale - in an election one analyst describes as a "referendum" on the project. Tasmanian politics was up-ended this week by the successful vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Unless the Liberal party opts to remove Mr Rockliff and negotiate a new deal with crossbenchers, an election is set to be called no earlier than Tuesday. It will be the first winter campaign on the island state for more than two decades and the fourth in seven years. Senior Liberal figures including senator Jonno Duniam are calling the prospect of a snap election "nuts". "I would have thought every effort should be put into not going to an election ... the people that lose out most in all this - forget the parliamentarians - it's the people of Tassie," he told ABC Radio. Analysts tip an unpredictable campaign given the nature of the political turmoil, with fresh candidates from the federal election in May adding another dimension. Ex-federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer is viewed as a likely candidate in Bass should Mr Rockliff hang on. Anti-salmon independent Peter George, who ran Julie Collins close in the safe federal seat of Franklin, told AAP he was considering his options. Opposition leader Dean Winter moved the no-confidence motion due to the state budget, which included ballooning deficits and debt forecasts, as well as proposals to privatise state assets. However, it's the stadium that looms as the biggest issue. Veteran political campaigner Brad Stansfield, who has worked on the Liberals' last four election wins, said it would be issue No.1. "At the last election ... we mostly kept it hidden from the campaign," he said on his FontCast podcast. "This campaign is going to be the referendum on the AFL stadium that we haven't yet had. It is coming like a steam train." The roofed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of the AFL licence, with the state government responsible for delivery and cost overruns. But recent polls suggest Tasmanians are not sold on the need for a new stadium. Labor and the Liberals support the stadium, but Mr Stansfield said Mr Rockliff would be the one who paid the electoral price. "If you don't like the stadium, you will vote against the Liberals," he said. Roland Browne, spokesperson for the anti-stadium Our Place group, told AAP they would campaign if there is an election. Firebrand senator Jacqui Lambie, independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie and acclaimed author Richard Flanagan are among well-known Tasmanians to front their cause. Mr Browne said he foresaw a scenario where one or both of the major parties would join the Greens in opposing the project. "Everybody wants the AFL teams. But the stadium is a millstone," he told AAP. Stadium supporters hope the Devils, who have employed favourite son Brendon Gale as its chief executive, can win over stadium opponents. Senator Duniam said while the state government was copping flack for its struggles to complete the project, the AFL should look to amend the deal or its timelines. "There's one party to this debacle which seems to keeping pretty quiet for the most part and that's the AFL," he said. "How about the AFL actually look at what's going on here because of what they've asked us to do?"
