Lib senator Richard Colbeck has welcomed the Mac Point stadium

The former sports minister has broken rank with his colleagues, who have been in opposition to the project. He said that the project, in conjunction with the commitment to redevelop UTAS Stadium in Launceston, would see Tasmania granted its "rightful place" in the AFL competition.

"The opportunity that will be available to all the young men and women who are playing football now is that they will be able to play for their own state in the national competition," he said.

"It's huge and it will be great for the sport."

Fellow Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonno Duniam was among the ranks of politicians who have spoken out against the Albanese government's commitment to the stadium.

"My colleagues all have their views and they understand my view. I've been publicly supporting this for quite a while now," he said.

Senator Colbeck added that Labor hasn't yet delivered on its commitments to developing women's sport.

"Labor has talked a big game on women's sport but haven't delivered anything yet - they can start by supporting women's AFL infrastructure in Tasmania," he said.

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"The Federal government now needs to ensure that the plan is implemented completely with funding to support the development of the state women's team, to be based on the North-West Coast."

Senator Colbeck said that the AFL should open up the opportunity for Tasmania to host 'Gather Round' when the agreement with South Australia expires in 2027.

"Tasmania is now what it should have been years ago - a fully-fledged AFL state, and as such should be in the race to host 'Gather Round' just like other states."

Senator Colbeck said that like him and his children, many footy-mad Tasmanians haven't had the opportunity to aspire to play for their state.

"How good would it have been if Darryl Baldock and Matthew Richardson could have played for Tassie?," he said.

"It provides something to aspire to, and it puts us in a place where we should have been... It's an opportunity that I didn't have, that my boys and my daughter didn't have when they played.

"I think it's like if Ricky Ponting didn't play cricket for Tassie... We've had three national cricket captains from Tasmania and that's where you can post your sights now because of the change that's coming for football.

"Perhaps we could send teams to play at Queenstown and let them see how serious we really are."

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