Albanese announces $240 million for Hobart stadium, housing

On Saturday morning at Macquarie Point, protesters heckled Anthony Albanese as he said he would work First Nations groups, Hobart City Council and RSL Tasmania to unlock the potential of the precinct and ensure all existing and proposed uses respect the history of the site and region.

Mr Albanese confirmed rumours this week that housing would form a large part of the announcement.

Crown land at Regatta Point will be developed through a public-private partnership, delivering a mix of waterfront housing, including affordable homes and housing for critical health workers and veterans.

"This sets up Macquarie Point as the future jewel in the crown for Hobart. A place where people can live, work and come together," Mr Albanese said.

"Hobart needs more investment, housing will be a major focus of this plan ... including affordable housing and housing for essential health workers."

His comments came on the back of Friday's confirmation of $65 million in funding for the second stage of developments at York Park in Launceston.

"We want to make sure that the benefits of having an AFL team based here in Tasmania means they can play both in Hobart and Launceston as well, to deliver the economic benefits for the whole state," Mr Albanese said.

The decision to fund the project was been widely tipped this week, after the AFL made Tasmania's entry into the competition contingent on construction of the $715 million stadium.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the development would become a unique destination to attract visitors to Tasmania.

"It will finally mean Tassie can host events that have previously bypassed the state."

He said the development would be an "urban renewal project the likes of which has never been seen here in Tasmania".

"We can build a world class multipurpose entertainment and sporting venue, where all Tasmanians can enjoy and come here and be entertained and watch their favourite footy team - their own Tasmanian AFL team, after decades of watching and hoping and dreaming to have our own side," he said.

But the project was about more than football, he said.

"This is an urban renewal project that will unlock the potential for housing, for small business, entertainment and sport, but also bring together significant transport infrastructure."

Hobart's Northern Transit Corridor, including ferries, could be transformed by the Macquarie Point development, Mr Rockliff said.

A group of about 20 protesters continually heckled both the Prime Minister and the Premier throughout the announcement, holding signs indicating opposition to the stadium.

One protester yelled out: "Tasmanians need housing, not a stadium", causing the Prime Minister to pause, and respond that the development plan did include housing.

At the end of the press conference, the Prime Minister was forced to run the gauntlet back to his car through a scrum of heckling protesters.

The Prime Minister's clash with protesters followed a report by Anglicare on Friday showing rents in Tasmania have risen much faster than in other parts of the country. It showed that there no places left in the country affordable for those on income support payments.

The criticism of the stadium announcement came from all sides of the political spectrum.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor labelled the Prime Minister's decision to fund the stadium "a betrayal of the Tasmanian people".

"It's a betrayal of the homeless people who are sleeping in tents and can't afford the rent, it betrays people who want a good health system," she said.

Greens Senator Nick McKim doubled down on his earlier comments on Twitter that the announcement was a "humiliation" for state Labor leader, Rebecca White, whose team has vehemently opposed the stadium plan.

"I feel sorry for Rebecca White, she's just been completely steamrolled by the Federal leader and it just exposes the fact that Labor in Tasmania have no sway and no influence and neither does she," Senator McKim said.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive, Steve Old, labelled the stadium announcement an "historic moment for Tasmania".

He said having its own AFL team after decades of campaigning would unite the state.

"In just two years of existence, the JackJumpers have united Tasmania, proving the desire to support our state against the rest of the country. To have an AFL side of our own, after decades of campaigning, will do exactly the same."

"But this funding commitment for a multi-purpose stadium is bigger than just football. The injection it will provide into the hospitality industry will be arguably greater than we have ever seen."

Jacqui Lambie Network Senator Tammy Tyrrell said she was disappointed at the federal decision to sink $240 million into the Hobart development.

"Taxpayer money is being thrown away on a stadium because the AFL said we needed one. The money going to this project could do a hell of a lot for the most vulnerable people in our community. The ones sleeping in tents. The ones who can't afford to pay for their medication," she said.

Liberal Tasmanian Senator Jonno Dumiam sought to draw attention to federal Labor's decision to fund Tasmanian stadiums and the failure of federal Labor members to secure funding for Tasmanian priorities, such as returning GP services to the clinic at Bothwell, or $30 million for a roundabout upgrade in Hobart.

"Mr Albanese's Tasmanian Senators must also explain whether the $305 million will be matched by the rollout of Labor's promised new community pool at George Town, the St Helens RSL renovation, the Cradle Mountain Cableway and many other Tasmanian projects," he said.

"Tasmania's Federal Labor representatives must immediately clarify whether they will reverse the disastrous actions taken in their Budget last October to rip funding out of essential roads infrastructure in Tasmania, including for the Northern Roads Package, the Hobart to Sorell Corridor, and the Scottsdale sideling upgrade."