Legislative Council inquiry into AFL seeks public submissions

Committee chair Ivan Dean wrote to Premier Will Hodgman asking whether the establishment of the Football Tasmania Board and the formation of the Tasmanian AFL dedicated taskforce would overlap the inquiry's work.

Mr Hodgman said the government supported the establishment of the inquiry because it was "consistent with our stated position that Tasmania should work towards an AFL team of our own".

"We believe that the inquiry complements the ongoing work that the government and the broader football community is doing to progress this aim," he said.

Mr Dean said the committee was eager to get submissions from Tasmanians.

Tasmania is the only state without an AFL team.

"There's a lot of discussion about a Tasmanian AFL team and there is huge interest in the issue," Mr Dean said.

"The AFL is a very rich organisation and it has put heaps of money into new clubs in other states.

"Taxpayers do not pay for an AFL team in any other state."

The lack of an AFL team has become a federal election issue with Labor pledging $25 million to help establish an AFL club in Tasmania.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said that as a foundation football state, Tasmania deserved a team of its own.

The Liberals have ruled out matching Labor's pledge, arguing the $25 million would be better spent on health.

Mr Dean said there was no doubt Tasmania needed its own AFL team but funding had to be determined.

The Legislative Council inquiry will consider the likely benefits to the broader Tasmanian economy and community from having a Tasmanian team in the AFL.

It also will examine whether the AFL or Tasmanian taxpayers should subsidise Melbourne-based AFL clubs playing in Tasmania.

Tasmanians have until June 20 to make a submission to the inquiry. A report is expected this year.