Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has penned a provocative letter to club members daring Tasmanians to let the club know if the Hawks' presence in the state is not wanted.

Kennett also mocked ALP leader Bill Shorten's pledge to contribute $25 million to a Tasmanian AFL team if elected.

Hawks president Jeff Kennett. Credit:Joe Armao

In a letter to members posted on the Hawks' website, Kennett said Hawthorn and North Melbourne's presence in Tasmania was a positive for the state and urged Tasmanians to get behind the AFL steering committee's plan to re-introduce Tasmanian teams into the TAC Cup and VFL.

Kennett wrote that it was not viable for Tasmania to have their own AFL team at this stage and politicians who supported their move to do so were being unrealistic.