Tasmanian Greens buy AFL CEO Andrew Dillon a flight to Hobart as stadium row escalates ahead of election

The Tasmanian Greens party have chipped in to buy a flight ticket for AFL CEO Andrew Dillon in their latest publicity stunt to draw attention to the state’s controversial proposed stadium.

The $1 billion Macquarie Point stadium has been a sticking point for the Greens, who are vehemently opposed to the project despite it being a non-negotiable for the AFL to expand to the state.

Despite bipartisan support from the major parties, the Greens could be crucial given another hung parliament is projected after Premier Jeremy Rockliff was forced to call a snap election for July 19.

It could see the stadium remain in political limbo with the Greens urging Dillon to speak to locals on election day.

“Since the beginning of the stadium saga, the AFL has spent all their time talking to Liberal - and more recently Labor - politicians and ignoring the Tasmanian community. That needs to change. The AFL CEO should front up and listen to Tasmanians,” the Greens’ statement read.

“The AFL CEO can come down, head out to some polling booths, and hear for himself what people think about the stadium. He could even head along to the Hawks vs Power game in the afternoon and remind himself of just how good a place York Park is to play football.

“We know Andrew Dillon is a busy guy, but given the huge turmoil the AFL’s insistence on a stadium has caused for Tasmania, surely the least he can do is show up?

“While he might not be used to flying Jetstar, we’ve bought him extra leg room to make the trip a bit more like what he’s probably accustomed to.”

Hawthorn will face Port Adelaide at Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday.

The original agreement between the state and the AFL was for the stadium to be finished in time for the 2029 season, with the state set to cop a $4.5 million penalty if it’s not half finished by 2027.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the state to get on with the project and look at the wider benefits of a team.

“We support a stadium, not just because of what it will do for AFL, but for what it will do in Hobart,” the Prime Minister told the Two Good Sports podcast.

The federal government has allocated $240m for the project, while the AFL has tipped in $15m for the stadium.