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No PM as Tassie parties promise new pitch

Andrew DrummondAAP
Premier Peter Gutwein and Labor Leader Rebecca White have a week to go until the Tasmanian election.
Camera IconPremier Peter Gutwein and Labor Leader Rebecca White have a week to go until the Tasmanian election. Credit: AAP

It is less than a week until Tasmanians go to the polls and the incumbent Liberal government might have to cope without the support of a prime ministerial campaign visit.

Scott Morrison was scheduled to make his first trip to the island state during the campaign on Sunday but plans to join Liberal electioneering in the northern centre of Latrobe had to be scrapped.

"The reason that Scott Morrison wasn't in Latrobe this morning was as a result of him being in Perth around a week ago," Premier Peter Gutwein told reporters, referring to COVID-19 lockdown and isolation measures imposed after diagnoses linked to Western Australia.

It's unknown if the prime minister will make it to Tasmania before Saturday's poll but regardless, the campaigning continues.

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Launceston's UTAS Stadium, better known as York Park, which plays host to regular AFL season Hawthorn games as well as Big Bash League cricket, will get a $65 million makeover if the Liberals are returned to power, Mr Gutwein said on Sunday.

It is part of an estimated $500 million investment needed over the next decade for Tasmania's major sports venues, which should be overseen by a "Stadiums Tasmania Trust", he said.

There is an immediate $6 million for Hobart's Blundstone Arena - Bellerive Oval - as well as consideration towards installing a roof over one of the outdoor venues, plus planning for a new rectangular stadium in the state's south.

"(The) government has recognised that the cost of providing and developing national-standard stadiums has become an increasing burden on local government and a trust aligns with models that work well in other jurisdictions in Australia," Mr Gutwein said in a statement.

The announcements follow Labor's Friday promise for a "boutique rectangular stadium" in Hobart, seating up to 15,000, to host professional soccer and rugby fixtures.

"The Tasmanian football community sees a rectangle stadium as critical for the development of the sport in the state," Labor leader Rebecca White said in a statement committing to the stadium if elected but not quantifying the cost.

Saturday is official voting day, when the Liberal party will hope to secure a third term, with a majority in the state's 25-seat lower house.

Labor this weekend also committed to boosting police numbers "to keep Tasmanian communities safe".

A majority Labor government will also give a million dollars a year to expand food relief agencies which have come under increasing demand since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr Gutwein promised ongoing funding for the state's 15 surf life saving clubs and volunteer marine rescue services.

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