Two independent politicians who hold the future of Tasmania's proposed AFL stadium in their hands have raised concerns about the project's financial viability.
Construction of the $1.13 billion Hobart waterfront venue is a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL and AFLW in 2028.
It requires the approval of parliament and will on Thursday come before the lower house where it has the numbers to pass with support of the governing Liberal and Labor opposition parties.
It faces a trickier path in December in the upper house where it will likely require the votes of three of eight independents to get through.
Rosemary Armitage, Mike Gaffney and Meg Webb are anti-stadium, while Ruth Forrest has been critical of the cost and location.
Tania Rattray and Casey Hiscutt are viewed as likely supporters, leaving the fate of the stadium resting with former mayor Bec Thomas and ex-builder Dean Harriss.
Mr Harriss has been tight-lipped on his position, but on Tuesday queried whether Tasmania could afford the project given its financial position.
The 2025/26 budget has forecast debt doubling to $10 billion in 2028/29, with the government foreshadowing greater public sector cuts next year.
Mr Harriss also questioned whether the government could keep "financial control" of the stadium, given cost blowouts for new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.
"The failure to manage the budget and the failure to manage important infrastructure projects like the Devonport ferry terminal have real consequences," he told parliament during budget reply speeches.
"For example, they seriously undermine the case for the AFL stadium.
"If we can't pay for essential services without running up repeated billion-dollar deficits, it is reasonable to ask the question: how can we afford a billion-dollar stadium?"
The government would need to provide convincing answers to demonstrate its claim the stadium stacks up, Mr Harriss said.
He also raised concerns that cricket authorities were yet to confirm whether games could be held under the stadium's cross-hatched roof design.
Independent Bec Thomas, who has kept her cards close to her chest, reiterated her support for high-end sport was contingent on grassroots levels being properly funded.
"Right now the numbers in this budget show that this is not occurring and it's not projected to occur over the forward estimates," she said.
"I hope the government will be able to explain how it justifies this exorbitant proposed expenditure on high-performance sporting infrastructure to serve an elite few."
Parliamentarians needed more information about how the stadium would be paid for, Ms Thomas said.
Ms Rattray talked up the stadium as an essential investment and one of the most significant projects in a generation.
"This is a project that speaks to confidence - confidence in our state, our people and our potential," she said.
The AFL has maintained a "no stadium, no team" position and says the deal can't be renegotiated.
The state will spend an initial $375 million pledge, plus more than $300 million in borrowings.
