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Politics
Ethan James

Premier pressured over Hobart stadium advice

Premier Jeremy Rockliff is accused of not tabling all relevant advice on the AFL stadium in Hobart. (Rob Blakers/AAP PHOTOS)

An independent MP responsible for plunging the Tasmanian government into minority has threatened to send the state to an early election if his concerns about plans for a Hobart stadium aren't addressed.

John Tucker and Lara Alexander quit the Liberal Party in May to sit on the crossbench, citing concerns around the government's planning for a $715 million waterfront stadium at Macquarie Point.

The stadium project was a condition of the AFL granting Tasmania a licence for a team.

Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander signed a deal with the government for the release of the government's contract with the AFL, but pledged to maintain votes of confidence and supply.

A motion was also passed by parliament ordering the state government to table relevant departmental advice about the stadium plan.

Political opponents have accused the state government, which holds 11 of 25 lower house seats, of not being fully transparent and not tabling all relevant advice.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he has tabled all relevant advice and some documents cannot be released because they are covered by cabinet confidentiality, a long-standing convention under which government deliberations about policy are kept under wraps.

In a speech to parliament, Mr Tucker said the government's reference to cabinet in confidence amounted to an "obvious cover-up".

"At the end of the day, if they don’t provide the information there's going to be a confidence problem in the government and we will be off to an election," he told ABC radio.

"The premier is well aware of that. That is what we signed that deal with him around."

However, Mr Tucker said he and Ms Alexander still planned to vote the government's budget bill through parliament.

Mr Rockliff earlier this month tabled various consultants reports related to stadium planning and several more documents on Tuesday that were already public.

The proposed 23,000-seat roofed stadium is opposed by state Labor and the Greens, as well as thousands who protested in May.

A group opposed to the stadium claims the infrastructure will "just fit" at the proposed site and overshadow historic buildings.

They released a rendered image and commissioned report by architectural firm Bence Mulcahy on Wednesday which relied on the dimensions and height made public by the government. 

Liberal MP Dean Young labelled the images a fantasy and grubby move by anti-stadium campaigners.

The state government has pledged $375m for the project, the federal government $240m and the AFL $15m.

The AFL has said a Tasmanian side, slated to enter the league in 2028, cannot exist without the stadium.

As part of the deal with Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander, the state government agreed to put the stadium proposal to a parliamentary vote after it is assessed by the planning commission.

A state election is due by mid-2025.

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