Labor has said a $360 million funding pledge by the AFL towards a Tasmanian football team over a decade is the standard amount any start-up team would expect to receive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan will later today publicly announce the funding contribution from the league, which he says will be contingent on a new stadium being built in Hobart.
Part of the investment will including money for the stadium.
There will be more than $90 million provided to grassroots football and another $30 million to develop three new talent academies.
Labor's sport and recreational spokesman Josh Wilie said $36 million a year is what any new team in the league would expect.
"A quick glance at an AFL annual report shows that clubs receive millions of dollars in funds from the AFL each year as it is," he said.
"In 2021, for example, the Gold Coast Suns received $26 million and the Greater Western Sydney Giants $23 million.
"There are also standard investments in new markets detailed in AFL annual reports for things such as ground and facilities improvement."
Mr Willie said no other start-up team had to build a new publicly funded stadium in return for a league licence.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor in January wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an attempt to dissuade him from providing funding towards a new stadium at Macquarie Point.
She wrote there was broad public opposition towards the proposal and economic analysis of its benefits were "laughably optimistic".
Ms O'Connor on Thursday accused Mr McLachlan of trying to bully the federal government to stump up funding for the stadium through the league's $360 million funding offer.
"Gill, you might think you can hold Tasmania to ransom, but we've got news for you - this stadium is never going to happen," she said.
"Your backroom deals and obvious attempts at manipulation will be no match for the determination of Tasmanians who refuse to be ripped off and told what they need."
Why not have your say? Write a letter to the editor here:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner