Labor frontbencher David O'Byrne has restated his party's support for a Tasmanian team in the National Basketball League, after Opposition Leader Rebecca White appeared to question the deal struck between the state government and the NBL.
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Premier Peter Gutwein was joined by NBL owner Larry Kestelman at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Glenorchy on Friday, where the pair announced that Tasmania had been granted the licence for the competition's 10th team, which will enter the league in the 2021-22 season.
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On Saturday evening, Ms White posted on Facebook asking Tasmanians how they felt about the government's deal with the NBL and noting that it was an "$80m investment by the tax payer".
As part of the deal, the state government will purchase the DEC from the Glenorchy City Council for $80 million, where a four-court indoor facility will be built.
The DEC and surrounding land at Wilkinsons Point will then be on-sold to Mr Kestelman's LK Group, which will develop a $150 million retail and shopping precinct there.
Mr O'Byrne, Labor's sport spokesman, said on Sunday that Labor supported Tasmania having its own NBL team but it would also need to examine the deal's finer details.
"It's clear the NBL is committed to Tasmania and there is no question this represents a significant opportunity for the state to create jobs and economic development and provide a pathway to elite level sport for young basketball players," he said.
Sport Minister Jane Howlett said Ms White's Facebook post was "yet another demonstration of the deep splinters in the Labor Party".
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Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
