Thousands of people have turned out in Hobart to protest the Tasmanian Government’s plans to build a $715 million stadium at the city’s Macquarie Point.
One of the largest crowds in recent times gathered today on the lawns outside the Tasmanian Parliament to call for more investment in public housing and health rather than the state Government’s commitment to a new stadium for an AFL team, for which its contribution will be a minimum of $375 million.
The rally followed two backbenchers from the ruling Liberals quitting the party over the stadium issue plunging Australia’s only state Liberal government into minority.
The planned new stadium, which the AFL made contingent to granting Tasmania a long-awaited licence, has divided the community since it was proposed last year.
Speaking at the ‘Stop the Stadium’ protest, Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie told the crowd that during the rural show Agfest last weekend the only thing people wanted to talk about was "this bloody stadium".
She advised “we love our football down here we love it with everything we've got … but we've got two great stadiums that are having money spent on them already.”
Adding that the state could not afford a new stadium, Senator Lambie stated “Tasmanians have had a bloody gutful over your stadium and you can stick it up your bum.
"We do not need another one when I have people waiting at A and E (accident and emergency) for hours on end.
"I have girlfriends staying at my house because they have no bloody roof over their heads. That's where we're at in Tasmania right now."
While the Federal Labor Government has backed the development with an unprecedented $240 million funding pledge, Tasmanian Labor, along with the Greens have been against the plan since it was first proposed.
Also addressing the rally, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor advised the Tasmanian would have to live with the AFL deal and the “consequences of (Tasmanian Premier) Jeremy Rockliff's own actions.
"His deafness to the mood of Tasmanians, his craven capitulation to Gil McLachlan and the AFL have brought a majority government to its knees.
"With the ink barely dry on that contract they signed in secret we now have a minority government."
Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie addressed the rally, having earlier told Parliament the 23,000-seat arena would look “at best like a monument to stupidity, at worst like a giant bedpan”.
Several messages were read out at the rally by actor Essie Davis, including from outspoken Federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer.
Archer’s statement advised “our (northern) region is doing it tough in the current environment and many in the community rightly believe that instead of hundreds of millions more being to fund a stadium in Hobart, federal support is needed for essential services.
Banners at the protest read ‘Team yes, Stadium No. Tell the AFL where to go!’ and ‘We can’t eat stadiums or submarines’.
Defending the project, AAP reported Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said plans to upgrade the Macquarie Point site went back many years, noting "this site has been left derelict for too long.”
The AFL’s granting of a licence for a 19th team will see Tasmania’s men's team enter the League in 2028 with a pathway into the women's league to be announced.
Images: Federal Senator Jacqui Lambie (left) at the 'Stop the Stadium' protest yesterday (top, credit: Senator Jacqui Lambie/Facebook), the AFL's announcement of the Leagues 19th team (middle, credit: AFL) and protestors wear 'Stop the Stadium' caps at yesterday's rally (below, credit: Senator Jacqui Lambie/Facebook).
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Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
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