The Liberal government’s atrocious performance in Parliament this morning has laid bare their contempt for northern Tasmanians’ genuine concerns about their reckless plan to build a $750 million stadium in Hobart.
The Premier Jeremy Rockliff was completely unable to counter a blistering attack on the plan by Tasmania’s longest serving Liberal Premier Robin Gray.
Mr Rockliff blathered on with his usual talking points about the stadium without even attempting to address Mr Gray’s comments that the “dud deal” will kill football in the north, damage the northern economy and burden Tasmanian taxpayers for generations.
He then flounced back to his seat declaring “we are a great government,” demonstrating just how out of touch he is as Tasmanians struggle with a health, housing and cost-of-living crisis.
His statement was greeted by silence from his front and backbench.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, following another question from Labor on the impact of a stadium on the state’s north, Liberal Minister Elise Archer muttered “I could have sworn Hobart was the capital city”.
What an appalling dismissal of any Tasmanians living outside the capital city. And what an appalling dismissal of all Tasmanians doing it tough.
While Labor is on the ground listening to Tasmanians who say they want a health system that works, housing they can afford and power prices capped, the Liberals continue to thumb their noses at them.
Instead of sidestepping answers to genuine questions, the Premier and his government need to start listening to Tasmanians and prioritising their needs ahead of an unwanted, unnecessary $750 million stadium.
Janie Finlay MP
Labor Member for Bass
