Tasmanian RSL split on Macquarie Point stadium amid claims of being “in bed with the Greens’

One RSL member has quit and a local mayor has lashed the leadership of the organisation over the Mac Point stadium. Read what has upset them.

CEO of RSL Tasmania John Hardy at Hobart Cenotaph. Picture: Linda Higginson.

A split has emerged in the RSL over the proposed Macquarie Point stadium with one veteran quitting, saying the group has been “in bed with the Greens” and a mayor accusing the leadership of being “belligerent”.

Tasman mayor Rod Macdonald, who was an RAAF officer and is a member of the Tasman RSL Sub-Branch, and Marc Newton, who served in the Australian Army for 23 years, say they are not alone in backing the stadium, or in their criticism of the RSL.

RSL CEO John Hardy admits the RSL does not speak for all veterans and says it supports a stadium, but not if it impedes sight lines from the Hobart Cenotaph.

Mr Macdonald said the RSL’s involvement in the stadium debate “smacked of political interference” and it needed to “get on board and contribute positively to the future success of our team”.

“There is a growing concern among RSL members that the approach of the Tasmanian Branch leadership is belligerent and totally unproductive,” he said.

Tasman Mayor Rod MacDonald at Nubeena. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The handling of the stadium issue back in February last year was disgraceful.

“It was conducted without properly consulting the membership.

“We have seen a number of dubious and misleading claims, around sightlines and the impact upon the cenotaph peddled out to the public by the RSL leadership on a regular basis.

“It would seem they have become embroiled, up to their necks, in politics”.

Hobart-born Mr Newton, who now lives at St Helens, first joined the RSL in 1988 and has quit leaving his voluntary job advocating for veterans and war widows to get entitlements.

He said it was a “very hard decision” to leave but as the RSL sponsored his advocacy he could not continue because of its stance on the stadium and “lack of transparency on questions asked”.

“The rhetoric has divided the veteran community,” Mr Newton said.

“The RSL was not founded to be aligned with any political party, however, they have openly and publicly been in bed with the Greens Party to push their agenda.

“It’s disgusting and the RSL needs to get back to core business, looking after veterans’ and their families’ welfare.

“I certainly do not believe I am in the minority.

“There is an abundance of veterans voicing their respective support for 1.0, but again, due to not being financial members, or aligned with the RSL, our voices fall on deaf ears. We are invisible.”

Renders showing the impact of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium from the Hobart Cenotaph released by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

Mr Newton last month emailed RSL president Barry Quinn, and copied all subbranches, asking for a breakdown of a vote of subbranches on the stadium and why RSL Australia had been engaged on a state issue.

“I fully understand where and what the Cenotaph stands for, so enough of the rhetoric that has been displayed by the CEO on behalf of the state branch,” he wrote.

“Initially, the concern that was spread amongst sub-branch individuals is that the stadium will impede the rising of the sun, especially on Anzac Day. Absolute rubbish, check your compass!”

Mr Quinn responded saying he would not apologise for the RSL’s campaign to “preserve the Cenotaph”.

“Your choice is to support a football team and a stadium, I and the Board respect your decision, my choice and that of the Board, through the CEO, is to preserve the Cenotaph,” he said.

“The Board and I envisaged that this would be a controversial and sensitive subject, in fact the most controversial stance RSL Tasmania has taken since its inception in 1916.”

Mr Hardy said he agreed with Mr Macdonald and Mr Newton – “we need a stadium 100 per cent”.

“But the sightlines are absolutely critical.”

Originally published as Tasmanian RSL split on Macquarie Point stadium amid claims of being “in bed with the Greens’