Malcolm Turnbull has ruled out funding a Tasmanian AFL team, saying the resource-rich league should throw its weight behind the push.
Mr Turnbull said Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was treating Tasmanians with contempt over his pledge to give $25 million towards a new team without speaking to the AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
"I have actually spoken to the AFL - to Gill McLachlan - and urged him to get behind with their enormous resources, a Tassie team," the prime minister told Tasmanian radio on Monday.
Labor's will stump up the cash provided the AFL grants Tasmania a licence to compete at the top level of men's and women's football.
Mr Turnbull said the government would consider paying for stadiums and other sporting infrastructure if the right proposal came up.
"It would be great if Tassie did have a team but I don't think it's the business of federal government to be putting money into a particular football team," he said.
