The Tasmanian Liberal Government is a Government with vision that is fully committed to delivering to help our economy thrive.
Today, we take another step forward in our quest for an AFL licence for Tasmania.
The AFL Commission’s broad endorsement of Tasmania’s bid for a 19th licence to establish an AFL team, takes us even closer to achieving our dream.
We now look forward to the 18 Club Presidents helping us to make history by supporting our bid.
This once in a lifetime opportunity will deliver substantial social and economic benefits for the whole State.
The Tasmanian Government has committed $12 million in annual funding over a 12-year term to support an AFL team.
This commitment would also support the establishment of our own AFLW team, and the increase in annualised funding will ensure both teams are set up for success the moment they enter the field.
This is very much in line with the current financial commitment the Government makes annually to the Hawthorn and North Melbourne football clubs, but the return on investment of having our very own State team is much more significant to the Tasmanian economy, the game and, importantly, our communities.
The timeline put forward includes the establishment of a high performance and team administration complex. We would contribute $60 million to this, and the AFL would contribute $10 million.
Furthermore, if the agreement is accepted, it would also trigger a massive increase in the AFL’s operational, financial and resource commitment to AFL in Tasmania, from grassroots to elite level.
The AFLW team would play games in the North West of the State, along with the North and South, while the AFL team would play its competition fixtures in both Hobart and Launceston.
The 100,000 Tasmanians who signed up for our Believe campaign, would be engaged with early to ensure that we effectively harness the passion and aspirations that Tasmanians share for AFL footy.
Tasmania may be a small State but Tasmanians should never be scared to dream big.
Today, we stand on the cusp of making history, and though the campaign for Tasmania to get its very own side has gone on for many, many years, we have never been so close to achieving this feat.
