The Tasmanian government is facing internal pressure to reconsider its negotiations for the sale of land north of Hobart to NBL team owner Larry Kestelman. The Department of State Growth issued a warning that moving forward with the deal could result in approximately $100 million in taxpayer expenses. This caution arises as the government is committed to building necessary infrastructure for the site, previously estimated to cost $12 million.

Despite this advice, the state government, led by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, has indicated that it intends to pursue the sale, asserting that discussions are being conducted in the best interests of Tasmanians. The government's rationale for the sale appears to hinge on development potential and economic benefits, despite the financial concerns raised by the department. The specifics of how the land sale would directly benefit the public remain unclarified, leading to scrutiny from various stakeholders.

As the situation develops, the Tasmania government has not yet finalized any agreements with Kestelman, leaving the future of the deal uncertain. The ongoing negotiations reflect a tension between economic development and fiscal responsibility, with critics likely to assess the implications for taxpayers should the deal proceed as advised against. How the government navigates these conflicting priorities could shape public opinion and influence future policy decisions in the state.