Jeff Kennett: How the AFL can salvage its flawed Tasmania AFL deal

Look at the decision announced last week that basically kills the deal as proposed.

Third, look at the option that could have been, should have been, and still could be, offered to allow Tasmania to field a team in the AFL.

First, the process conducted by the AFL was flawed.

The outcome was decided well before the how and cost was established.

There was no proper business case for a roofed stadium, and of course no consideration by the AFL about the financial impact that would be imposed on the Tasmanian community because of a roofed stadium.

The emotional case for a Tasmanian team among the majority of club presidents was strong.

The financial implications for Tasmania were the concern of only a few.

The viability of a Tasmanian team is another concern.

However, the AFL administration wanted the Tasmanian team to enter the competition on the same level as the existing teams.

That is with a new custom-built, state-of-the-art stadium with a retractable roof.

The problem was the fundamental cost was going to be borne by Tasmanians.

For the stadium alone the Tasmanian government committed $375m, the Federal Government to $240m including expenditure on public housing, and the AFL who were making the demands only a miserable $15m.

All the upside costs of remediation of the site, and construction, was to be borne by Tasmanians.

Tasmanians were never going to get out of building the stadium for less than $1,000,000m or $1bn.

With interest costs on money borrowed, and a loss on the running costs per annum, a potential beautiful stadium would be a financial white elephant, and millstone around the necks of Tasmanians for decades.

The announcement this week by Premier Jeremy Rockliff capping state funding at $375m fundamentally kills the existing deal.

So, it is time for the AFL and Tasmania to develop Plan B.

Tasmania has great history, buildings and homes scattered throughout the island that are magnificent in their architecture, spectacular views and environments, in particular down both the east and west coast of the island.

Hobart has historic Salamanca Place and the wonderful vision that is Mona, as well as many natural attractions.

It is the capital of the Island and home of the Tasmanian Parliament. And it is the home of cricket and the basketball team.

Launceston has a growing university presence, within its easy reach you have now a world renown golfing complex at Barnbougle and the dock for the Spirit of Tasmania.

The playing surface at UTAS Stadium (formerly Aurora Stadium) is perhaps the best of any AFL ground, but most importantly across the north of Tasmania you have a football loving community.

Here is Plan B!

Commit the $375m the government has offered to rebuild the stands and dressing rooms at UTAS.

Create a second oval there for training for the Tasmanian AFL and Tasmanian AFLW teams.

Leave open the gap in the stands that allows people to look out to the hills in the distance.

There is no need for a roof as playing football should never be an antiseptic game. But one that should be subjected to climatic change. An equal test of both teams competing.

I have been going to Tassie for 20-plus years to see games played at UTAS.

Most in glorious weather, some in cold conditions, and once when the sleet was parallel to the ground, but typical football conditions that are played in by the VFL, amateurs and even our children.

Launceston should be the home of the Tasmanian AFL team and the Academy.

If the AFL would rotate every mainland AFL team to play in Tasmania, with maybe three games played in Hobart, the Tasmanian Tourism Department developing three to seven-day packages for supporters of the visiting teams to watch their team and then tour the island, would be a winner.

You then have the two major cities on the island with very strong beating hearts.

An island that is easy to move through, and you would save hundreds of millions of dollars on construction, and millions of dollars thereafter on covering the losses on the stadium that has just been knocked on the head.

While attracting millions of dollars for small businesses throughout the state every year, from large numbers of tourists moving through the state.

The AFL Commission, administration, presidents and the newly elected Tasmanian government after the March 23 election need to think quickly and differently, if a Tasmanian team is to become a reality.

A Plan B must be developed now.

Tasmanians, have your team, but live within your means, otherwise you will end up like Victoria – a financial basket case. 

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria 

Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Here is how the AFL can salvage its irresponsible Tasmania deal