Governments are free to pick and choose which experts they listen to, and which experts they don't listen to, and then be judged by voters accordingly.

As summarised by Tasmania's minister responsible for the proposed $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium, Eric Abetz:

"These experts, as we have them, their views, we take them into account," he said.

" But at the end of the day, the government will decide. "

He was referring to a Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) panel, which recommended against going ahead with the stadium for a range of reasons — from town planning issues to the ongoing cost to the budget.

The Tasmanian government released its formal response this week, arguing that the panel hadn't considered the unquantifiable benefits, such as "community pride and belonging"

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