Rockliff’s Broken Promise Exposed by Budget Papers

At the 2024 election the Premier promised Tasmanians he would cap taxpayer spending on the stadium at $375 million and famously said “not a red cent more” of public money would be spent.

As costs have grown, and private investment abandoned, it’s become obvious this commitment could not be upheld. But the government has absurdly claimed there’s no broken promise, moving the goalposts to pretend there’s nothing to worry about.

The last ridiculous defence of the Premier’s position was that the extra money being spent on the stadium was borrowings from Macquarie Point Development Corporation, not taxpayer money.  The Budget Papers have now put paid to this wet lettuce leaf of an argument.

Speaking on the stadium costs that are above and beyond the $375 million, the Budget says:
“The remaining cost will be partially funded through equity contributions from Finance-General.”*

It seems Jeremy Rockliff will never have the spine to admit he’s broken his cost cap promise. But the truth is in the Budget in black and white – a big extra chunk of taxpayer money will be spent on the stadium.

So much for “not a red cent more.”