An Aboriginal corporation has criticised the Tasmanian government's financial backing of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium while housing shortages and the cost of living continue to impact Tasmanians statewide.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre says it strongly opposes the "unaffordable stadium", questioning premier Jeremy Rockliff's lobbying of Parliament to approve more than a billion dollars of expenditure for the stadium's construction.
Shortly after speaking at a Christmas charity event last week where, in the words of the TAC, "volunteers shared heartbreaking stories of children sleeping in cars and families going hungry", Mr Rockliff urged Tasmania's lower house to approve an "order" for the stadium, which has a reported $1.13 billion price tag.
After a lengthy debate and with the support of the Opposition and key independents, Tasmania's Lower House approved the stadium 25 votes to nine last week - its fate now set to be determined by the state's Upper House next month.
Following Mr Rockliff's charity event appearance, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell said the government's Macquarie Point stadium agenda flies in the face of Tasmanians doing it tough.
"The Premier literally walked out on hungry and homeless children and walked straight into a billion-dollar deal that this state cannot afford," Ms Mansell said.
"Tasmania is in a housing and cost-of-living crisis. People are dying on waiting lists, kids are living in tents, and volunteers are holding communities together with bake sales and charity tins.
"Yet the government's priority is a football stadium. It's a complete slap in the face to the hundreds of people across the state doing it tough."
A roofed stadium at Macquarie Point is a condition of a deal between the Tasmanian government and the AFL which would see the Tasmanian Devils allocated the league's 19th licence.
The Lower House's support of the Macquarie Point stadium proposal came following a Project of State Significance planning process, which saw the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recommended against proceeding with the stadium for a variety of reasons.
With the option to ignore the recommendations, the government instead proposed conditions on the stadium which the TPC did not recommend.
Premier Rockliff told parliament he "appreciates the advice" from the TPC, however believed the stadium should proceed regardless.
"We cannot let parochialism and politics get in the way of opportunity in this state," he said, the ABC reports.
"There's been criticism of the deal that we signed. Was it the most perfect deal of the century? Some would say 'yes', others would say 'no'.
"It got us an agreement to get our own Tasmanian Devils team, of which we have been fighting for, for decades and decades.
"And a foot in the door when the AFL ... kept shutting the door on Tasmania: 'no, no, no, no'. When we signed the agreement, they said, 'yes'."
Prime to the stadium's proposal, plans to include a Truth and Reconciliation Park as part of the industrial site's redevelopment were flagged as early as 2016.
The Macquarie Point stadium proposal also spelled the end for Aboriginal social enterprise Nayri Niara, which vacated Hobart's LongHouse after its relationship with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation broke down.
Ms Mansell says Macquarie Point is "the only" area in Hobart suitable for an Aboriginal cultural precinct.
"Macquarie Point is the only block of land anywhere in central Nipaluna with the potential for an Aboriginal owned and operated cultural centre," she said.
"We are sick of being offered nothing but false hope and empty promises by this Government."
The Greens have remained in steadfast opposition to the stadium proposal.
Following its approval from the state's Lower House, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the stadium "is opposed by the vast majority of Tasmanians".
"It's been shown to be a huge economic loser. It was recommended for rejection by the independent planning assessment panel," Ms Woodruff said.
"But despite these and many other major issues, the Liberals and Labor have teamed up to progress the project."
Ms Woodruff said Tasmania doesn't need a third stadium, "and we can't afford it".
"With the state in a serious budget crisis, adding $2 billion to our debt for another stadium is the last thing we should be doing," she said.
"The Planning Commission's report was clear, the stadium is a loss-making development and Tasmanians will be paying $50 million in interest on its debt every year for 30 years."
Ms Mansell said the community has made its opposition to the proposed stadium clear in submissions to the Tasmanian Planning Commission's Integrated Assessment Report, "but once again, the voices of the people especially Aboriginal voices have been ignored".
"If they [the Government] are serious about returning stolen lands to their rightful owners, they should show it in practice by devoting this land to truth and culture, not football and concerts," Ms Mansell said.
The TAC demanded the Tasmanian government halt the Macquarie Point stadium project "immediately", and invest in homes, food security, and community services instead, and return lands and honour the promises made to Aboriginal people.
The people of Lutruwita deserve homes before stadiums," the TAC statement said. "We deserve compassion before concrete. And we deserve leaders who put people before politics."
