Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese was on the ground in Hobart on Saturday morning to formally announce the Federal Government's multi-million dollar commitment to the build of a new stadium on the Tasmanian capital's waterfront.
The Federal Labor commitment of $240 million acts as the final piece of the venue's construction puzzle, a commitment that has rubber-stamped Tasmania's bid to become the AFL's 19th franchise.
Still, on what was a momentous day for the Apple Isle, Mr. Albanese received audible jeers during his announcement speech, with the stadium build at Macquarie Point remaining a divisive topic in the southern state.
The multi-million dollar Federal tip-in is set to come into effect during the upcoming May budget, however, with Tasmania in the grips of a housing crisis ahead of what is set to be another bitterly cold winter, the Prime Minister was heckled due to a perceived lack of funding being allocated to amend the state's housing crisis.
As presented by Nine News, Mr. Albanese was also met by multiple vocal protesters on his way to and from the announcment.
At present, more than 4500 Tasmanians are still on the state's social housing waitlist.
Speaking at Macquarie Point, Mr. Albanese stated that not only would the $715 million stadium provide a home for the AFL's newest outfit, but it would also provide new jobs for locals, many of which are predicted to be ongoing after ribbon-cutting day.
“This is a revitalisation project that will transform this city,” the Prime Minister announced.
“[It] will produce ongoing jobs in tourism, in hospitality, as well as lifting up the sights of young Tasmanians who aspire to play for Tasmania in the Australian Football League.”
As reported by The Age, the venue is set to provide work for as many as 4200 Tasmanians, with the updated Port Macquarie precinct to become "a place where people can live, work and come together" in the eyes of Mr. Albanese.
On the ground, the Tasmanian Liberal Party has committed more than $375 million toward the build, however, the now green-lit construction project has drawn mass backlash from multiple political rivals.
Tasmania's State Labor Party was left baffled as to why a new stadium was seen as a non-negotiable pillar for Tasmania's admittance to the AFL. Still, the party has maintained that they are supporters of the state's press for league entry.
Elsewhere, the State Greens withdrew their support for the project within the past fortnight, citing that tax-payer funds would be best served elsewhere.
Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie added his voice to the ire, slamming the Liberal Government for reckless spending, claiming that the construction of a third AFL-standard venue in the state was overkill.
“More than a billion dollars, and that's what the stadium will end up costing, for an AFL stadium in sight of another one, with just 3,000 more seats and likely no roof, is beyond bizarre,” Wilkie wrote previously in a statement, echoing State Labor concerns regarding the cold shoulder turned to Bellerive Oval and York park by those at league headquarters.
“This is a failure of governance on an eye-watering scale.”
Wilkie's statement comes as the Albanese government also committed $130 million in an effort to revitalise the York Park stadium precinct in Launceston.
All eyes are now on the AFL to see how swiftly the Tasmanian bid is ticked off, with reports arising on Friday that the heads of all 18 AFL clubs had been contacted, once more, via telephone hookup regarding their stance on expansion.
A press release from AFL House on Saturday morning claimed: "the AFL Commission will then meet (again) and an official update from the AFL will be provided in the coming days."