In an election most “mainlanders” perceive as about the building of a stadium and the future of an AFL team, the health of the Tasmanian racing industry is also on the agenda in Saturday’s election in Australia’s southernmost state.
Tasmania’s second state election in the space of 16 months is about much more than the construction of a football stadium on Hobart’s waterfront, but you wouldn’t think so based on national media coverage.
Growing debt, the debacle surrounding the ordering of two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries without having a suitable terminal to house them in, the sale of state assets, health, crime and education will be among the aspects on voters’ minds when they go to the polls in the depth of winter on Saturday.
The stadium debate and the future of an AFL team has been hotly contested, but the fact remains both major parties support its construction, and given the current odds of any other sworn-in government apart from Labor ($1.43) or Liberal ($2.85) is a $21 chance, a state government stadium about-face seems unlikely.
Tasmania’s peculiar Hare-Clark political system, which sees seven candidates voted from each of five lower-house electorates, does cater better for a larger cross-bench representation, and that is why the AFL issue, and significant challenges with the racing industry, are on the agenda.
This post is for our free members
Thanks for your interest in The Straight. It looks like you are trying to access a free members article via an in-app browser on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. For the best experience, and instant access, sign on via the Social Sign In links below. You should only need to do this once.
If you wish to access or create an email-based account, please provide your email below. You will receive a link to click by email which will then open in your device’s native browser.
