Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are listening to the water Boys with myself, Mitch
McPherson and Xavier Doldy And of course last week we
had the big election here in Tasmanian politics and a
man that has obviously been re elected as an MP.
And of course the SFL president is David o'bern and
he joins us, David, welcome again to the water Boys.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yeah, morning lads, No great to have you back.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
On before we are just pressed record there in the
conversation we were saying that we had an election and
of course you are very busy and campaigned very hard.
It came out of nowhere. No rest for the wicked though.
You're still cracking in and there's probably just as much
news hanging around now as what there was before the election.
But how are you feeling, mate? You must be obviously
relieved to be back involved, but looking at the results
(00:39):
that it sort of panned out, how you thought it
would be across the board.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, well it's it's I mean, it was the election
that no one sort of wanted and we just had
to get through it, and you know, you had to
work as hard as you can to remind people, you know,
what you wanted to achieve in politics, and so it
was good to get an increased personal vote. That was
really that was really positive for me, and that sort
(01:02):
of is a bit of an endorsement in terms of
I think the way I've conducted a source as an
independent member in the last last twelve months or so,
and what it does is actually writes the right the
agenda or pressure the you know, the go pro to
where you go next. And it's a real compass for
me that I've been endorsed with the approach I'm taking,
so I'll stick to that. And yeah, you're right. Usually
(01:22):
after an action election, you know, you work long, long
days every day and you get a bit of a breadth,
but not this one, and nor should it be. We've
got a we've got a really important job to do.
We've got we've got a stadium to build and a
footy team to deliver, and we've got a whole range
of issues across sealth insication to get on with and
we have to make de Parliament work. So where we're
(01:43):
sitting down talking and trying to see if we can
work it out for the people of Tasmania. To be honest,
it's got no choice.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
But now you mentioned there are more there are bigger
issues than the stadium, but we are a sports show here,
so we don't make any We make no apologies for
focusing in on that. Do you think that Labors declin
line in vote was towards their support of the stadium
or do you think they just got the blame for
the election call?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Well, I think there's an old saying in politics that
people always get it right. And you know, there are
swings for and against the major parties in this election,
and so I think off the back of well, you
can't sugarcoat this for the Labor Party, it's the worst
vote in their history in the state. Five percent of
people across the States believe that they're the ones to govern,
(02:30):
and that's something that weighs heavily on my mind about
what comes next. I think the confused position on the
stadium is a key reason why a number of football
and sporting members of the community sort of form their view.
But also there's a whole range of people who really
don't give too much roots about sports, but they see
what the economic opportunity that are multipurpose stadium at Macquarie
(02:52):
Point will do economically for the States. For jobs and
all the conferences and events and all the stuff that
will happen around it, similar to the Outlaie Oval redevelopment,
and so I think people formed a view on that,
and it's been pretty clear at the Ballotpox having said
that we're in a we're got a hair Clark system,
there's multi member electorates. We've got to get on with
a job. And I think probably you're right the confused
(03:14):
position on the stadium from Labor has heard them yet again.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
David, Sorry, now you went to Dean. Then that's because
Dean's on the edge of my lips because I want
to ask you about it. I suppose the question for
me is now that we're looking at, you know, Libs
to form government, and of course that probably makes it
a little bit easier around the stadium. But then there's
the conversation now around Labor looking to form government with
the Greens and have conversations with yourself. And you were
open to saying the other day you had a conversation
(03:40):
with Dean and you hadn't done that for quite some time.
So rightfully people are now saying, well, is at the
end of the stadium. Then if that happens if Jeremy
tries doesn't work out, Labor do do it they get
people like yourself on board. We know that you'll be
pro stadium being in a world with Labor and the
Greens and a couple of independence that necessarily aren't. Is
there right for concern now around that if that goes
(04:01):
down that path or do we think that no matter
which way it's formed, we can still get it done.
Or do we have a ride as people that are
pro stadium and want the stadium to happen to think
that there is a risk now that if that second
option is formed, even though someone like yourself might be involved,
that it doesn't actually happen. Is that where we're at.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Well, I don't think it's black and white as that, Mitch.
I think when you look at the election, both major parties,
I mean, liberals have been pretty clear from day one.
I've been clear from day one and the fact and
I think it is a lesson for Labor that I've
been unequivocally, unequivocal in my support for the stadium and
my vote went up, and it didn't go up by
(04:39):
a little bit, it went up by a lot. And
that's in the seat of Franklin that also Dean is
sitting in and I think that speaks volumes that it
took them a while, but Labor did come to a
position supporting the stadium, and so out of the thirty
five seats, you'd say twenty four to twenty five of
them are from people who support the stadium, and so
(04:59):
that be a very strong message. It's obviously a concern
when any major party has to sit down with the
Greens and with Independence when they're talking about a range
of issues, but particularly stadium, because you've got the Greens
who are against the stadium, and three of the independents
that have been elected are against the stadium as well,
(05:22):
and so when you're reliant on their vote, there's a
question mark. And I would like to think that we
would rise above that and both major parties and the
self will just get this done and get on and
build it, and then in five or to say years,
people are going, what the hell do we ever argue
about it? And then we can move on. But you
have to say, in these kind of negotiations, these things
(05:43):
are all like I've said, I'm not putting a shopping
list of issues on the table to anyone. I want
parliament to work. I want good decisions, and people know
my values and they know the communities that I represent
and they should respect that. But I would say the
independence that they also have to respect the fact that
seventy percent of the people voted for seventy percent voted
(06:06):
for major parties, sixty percent of them voted for sixty
five percent voted for the two major parties. As independence,
they need to respect that as well. But when and
I know independence are making demands individual demands the other one,
so I'm not I want parliament to work and I'll
treat each issue on its merits, but when you've got
some independence very vocal about making demands, particularly around the stadium,
(06:30):
you have to be concerned. I think that's I don't
think it's the end of it. I don't think it's over.
But if you're sitting down at the table relying on
someone who's dimestrically opposed to you on the stadium, then
it's a problem.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Absolutely. And you mentioned it. They're the respecting I think
that's the people voted, voted on what they wanted based
on what we heard was going to happen. And I
suppose now people are a little on edge, thinking and
waiting to see which way it goes. David would love
to keep talking, but we've got to go but really quickly.
The AFL, I know you have connections thereon and have
regular conversations withal around it. Are the IFL ok to
be holding this. We're clearly not going to get any closer,
(07:04):
probably maybe even to the end of the year and
start of next g Do you feel they're okay with that?
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Well, I mean obviously there's concern. I mean, we fought
so hard to get the license and get the approval
to get to work on it. We've got great people
in Betty Gail and Kath mccan, Grant O'Brien and all
these great people working really hard at the club, progressing
what needs to be progressed. So working. It's not like
we're to stop. Work is progressing. But again, the political
(07:32):
uncertainty in the game playing by some people on this
issue can not help. It hasn't helped. We've effectively triggered
an election on us because of you know, people can
sort of run up any argument they want to say, Oh,
the election was about X and Y, it was about politics.
It's about people trying to get into positions, you know,
so let's let's be clear about that. Well, we're over
(07:52):
the election that people were spoken and people saying, oh no,
you know it's not clear. Well I think it has
been pretty clear on the range of issues, and so
we just need to get on and get it done
and we'll do our best.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
On absolutely yea. And we appreciate your transparency and a
lot of people do that appro stadium and appreciate your
transparency and the respect that you're showing along the way. David.
Thanks has always made for giving us your time and
we're probably going to annoy you again very soon and
keep checking in with you along the way.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
All good mate, all good's and just any message get
alonger the footy and support your local club.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Yeah, absolutely, thanks so much, David. I burned cheez good
on your chief
You are listening to the water Boys with myself, Mitch
McPherson and Xavier Doldy And of course last week we
had the big election here in Tasmanian politics and a
man that has obviously been re elected as an MP.
And of course the SFL president is David o'bern and
he joins us, David, welcome again to the water Boys.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yeah, morning lads, No great to have you back.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
On before we are just pressed record there in the
conversation we were saying that we had an election and
of course you are very busy and campaigned very hard.
It came out of nowhere. No rest for the wicked though.
You're still cracking in and there's probably just as much
news hanging around now as what there was before the election.
But how are you feeling, mate? You must be obviously
relieved to be back involved, but looking at the results
(00:39):
that it sort of panned out, how you thought it
would be across the board.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, well it's it's I mean, it was the election
that no one sort of wanted and we just had
to get through it, and you know, you had to
work as hard as you can to remind people, you know,
what you wanted to achieve in politics, and so it
was good to get an increased personal vote. That was
really that was really positive for me, and that sort
(01:02):
of is a bit of an endorsement in terms of
I think the way I've conducted a source as an
independent member in the last last twelve months or so,
and what it does is actually writes the right the
agenda or pressure the you know, the go pro to
where you go next. And it's a real compass for
me that I've been endorsed with the approach I'm taking,
so I'll stick to that. And yeah, you're right. Usually
(01:22):
after an action election, you know, you work long, long
days every day and you get a bit of a breadth,
but not this one, and nor should it be. We've
got a we've got a really important job to do.
We've got we've got a stadium to build and a
footy team to deliver, and we've got a whole range
of issues across sealth insication to get on with and
we have to make de Parliament work. So where we're
(01:43):
sitting down talking and trying to see if we can
work it out for the people of Tasmania. To be honest,
it's got no choice.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
But now you mentioned there are more there are bigger
issues than the stadium, but we are a sports show here,
so we don't make any We make no apologies for
focusing in on that. Do you think that Labors declin
line in vote was towards their support of the stadium
or do you think they just got the blame for
the election call?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Well, I think there's an old saying in politics that
people always get it right. And you know, there are
swings for and against the major parties in this election,
and so I think off the back of well, you
can't sugarcoat this for the Labor Party, it's the worst
vote in their history in the state. Five percent of
people across the States believe that they're the ones to govern,
(02:30):
and that's something that weighs heavily on my mind about
what comes next. I think the confused position on the
stadium is a key reason why a number of football
and sporting members of the community sort of form their view.
But also there's a whole range of people who really
don't give too much roots about sports, but they see
what the economic opportunity that are multipurpose stadium at Macquarie
(02:52):
Point will do economically for the States. For jobs and
all the conferences and events and all the stuff that
will happen around it, similar to the Outlaie Oval redevelopment,
and so I think people formed a view on that,
and it's been pretty clear at the Ballotpox having said
that we're in a we're got a hair Clark system,
there's multi member electorates. We've got to get on with
a job. And I think probably you're right the confused
(03:14):
position on the stadium from Labor has heard them yet again.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
David, Sorry, now you went to Dean. Then that's because
Dean's on the edge of my lips because I want
to ask you about it. I suppose the question for
me is now that we're looking at, you know, Libs
to form government, and of course that probably makes it
a little bit easier around the stadium. But then there's
the conversation now around Labor looking to form government with
the Greens and have conversations with yourself. And you were
open to saying the other day you had a conversation
(03:40):
with Dean and you hadn't done that for quite some time.
So rightfully people are now saying, well, is at the
end of the stadium. Then if that happens if Jeremy
tries doesn't work out, Labor do do it they get
people like yourself on board. We know that you'll be
pro stadium being in a world with Labor and the
Greens and a couple of independence that necessarily aren't. Is
there right for concern now around that if that goes
(04:01):
down that path or do we think that no matter
which way it's formed, we can still get it done.
Or do we have a ride as people that are
pro stadium and want the stadium to happen to think
that there is a risk now that if that second
option is formed, even though someone like yourself might be involved,
that it doesn't actually happen. Is that where we're at.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Well, I don't think it's black and white as that, Mitch.
I think when you look at the election, both major parties,
I mean, liberals have been pretty clear from day one.
I've been clear from day one and the fact and
I think it is a lesson for Labor that I've
been unequivocally, unequivocal in my support for the stadium and
my vote went up, and it didn't go up by
(04:39):
a little bit, it went up by a lot. And
that's in the seat of Franklin that also Dean is
sitting in and I think that speaks volumes that it
took them a while, but Labor did come to a
position supporting the stadium, and so out of the thirty
five seats, you'd say twenty four to twenty five of
them are from people who support the stadium, and so
(04:59):
that be a very strong message. It's obviously a concern
when any major party has to sit down with the
Greens and with Independence when they're talking about a range
of issues, but particularly stadium, because you've got the Greens
who are against the stadium, and three of the independents
that have been elected are against the stadium as well,
(05:22):
and so when you're reliant on their vote, there's a
question mark. And I would like to think that we
would rise above that and both major parties and the
self will just get this done and get on and
build it, and then in five or to say years,
people are going, what the hell do we ever argue
about it? And then we can move on. But you
have to say, in these kind of negotiations, these things
(05:43):
are all like I've said, I'm not putting a shopping
list of issues on the table to anyone. I want
parliament to work. I want good decisions, and people know
my values and they know the communities that I represent
and they should respect that. But I would say the
independence that they also have to respect the fact that
seventy percent of the people voted for seventy percent voted
(06:06):
for major parties, sixty percent of them voted for sixty
five percent voted for the two major parties. As independence,
they need to respect that as well. But when and
I know independence are making demands individual demands the other one,
so I'm not I want parliament to work and I'll
treat each issue on its merits, but when you've got
some independence very vocal about making demands, particularly around the stadium,
(06:30):
you have to be concerned. I think that's I don't
think it's the end of it. I don't think it's over.
But if you're sitting down at the table relying on
someone who's dimestrically opposed to you on the stadium, then
it's a problem.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Absolutely. And you mentioned it. They're the respecting I think
that's the people voted, voted on what they wanted based
on what we heard was going to happen. And I
suppose now people are a little on edge, thinking and
waiting to see which way it goes. David would love
to keep talking, but we've got to go but really quickly.
The AFL, I know you have connections thereon and have
regular conversations withal around it. Are the IFL ok to
be holding this. We're clearly not going to get any closer,
(07:04):
probably maybe even to the end of the year and
start of next g Do you feel they're okay with that?
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Well, I mean obviously there's concern. I mean, we fought
so hard to get the license and get the approval
to get to work on it. We've got great people
in Betty Gail and Kath mccan, Grant O'Brien and all
these great people working really hard at the club, progressing
what needs to be progressed. So working. It's not like
we're to stop. Work is progressing. But again, the political
(07:32):
uncertainty in the game playing by some people on this
issue can not help. It hasn't helped. We've effectively triggered
an election on us because of you know, people can
sort of run up any argument they want to say, Oh,
the election was about X and Y, it was about politics.
It's about people trying to get into positions, you know,
so let's let's be clear about that. Well, we're over
(07:52):
the election that people were spoken and people saying, oh no,
you know it's not clear. Well I think it has
been pretty clear on the range of issues, and so
we just need to get on and get it done
and we'll do our best.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
On absolutely yea. And we appreciate your transparency and a
lot of people do that appro stadium and appreciate your
transparency and the respect that you're showing along the way. David.
Thanks has always made for giving us your time and
we're probably going to annoy you again very soon and
keep checking in with you along the way.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
All good mate, all good's and just any message get
alonger the footy and support your local club.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Yeah, absolutely, thanks so much, David. I burned cheez good
on your chief
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