Tasmania stadium showdown looms as 15,000 supporters descend on Hobart for rally
Supporters of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium say it’s now or never to secure an AFL team for Tasmania, as parliament inches closer to a final vote on the highly controversial project.
Supporters of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium say it’s now or never to secure an AFL team for Tasmania, as parliament inches closer to a final vote on the highly controversial project.
Bucketing rain did not deter crowds from descending on Parliament Lawns on Sunday in fervent support of the stadium, spilling out onto the Salamanca streets and filling pubs and restaurants along the hospitality strip.
Tasmania Police estimated the Yes AFL Team Yes Stadium rally drew crowds of up to 15,000 people to Salamanca, while organisers claimed it was the largest crowd Hobart had seen in years.
The crowd heard from various speakers including JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan, former AFL player and Melbourne Football Club president Brad Green, Penguin Football Club president Brian Lane and prominent Tasmanian businessman and property developer Errol Stewart who spoke of the stadium’s purported economic benefits, its promise for aspiring sports stars, and its significance for Tasmania’s cultural identity.
But it was Premier Jeremy Rockliff who elicited the biggest applause – even drawing a “Rocky” chant.
Closing out the rally, he thanked the crowd’s organisers and vowed to “get the job done” ahead of the Legislative Council’s crucial stadium vote.
“You have created a grassroots movement that I have never seen in my lifetime,” he said.
“Tasmania was built on hard work and aspiration and by people who were prepared to stand up and have a go.
“By the end of this week, after all the talk … a decision will have been made … that will define Tasmania for generations.
“The Tasmanian Devils and aspiration for young people has brought it to this point where we’re going to get the job done.”
The crowd also heard from independent MP David O’Byrne and opposition leader Josh Willie, who described the stadium as a once in generation opportunity.
“We’re proud of where we live. We want to win premierships and we want to do this properly,” Mr Willie said.
“We want to get the best and this is what’s required.
“Anybody who says different is misrepresenting the facts.”
The rally — organised by Yes AFL Team Yes Stadium Facebook group founder Mark Brown — comes after the anti-stadium rally held on the Parliament Lawns last week, coordinated by lawyer and Our Place spokesperson Roland Browne.
Hundreds travelled from interstate to show their support, with Tasmania Devils merchandise – and even an appearance from the club’s beloved mascot, Rum’un – visible throughout the crowd.
Mr Browne said Sunday’s rally “only confirmed” what Tasmanians had already made clear about their desire for a state AFL team.
“But every published poll shows the majority of Tasmanians also oppose the stadium because the only number that matter are the $2.5 billion plus stadium cost and the predicted $13 billion state debt,” he said.
“As shown by recent credit downgrades and more, it is clear Tasmanian can afford neither.”
The AFL has remained steadfast on the roofed 23,000-seat stadium as a condition of the AFL’s Tasmanian licence since the long-awaited contract was first signed in May 2023.
The crucial vote on the stadium order is expected to take place in the Legislative Council on December 3 and 4 after it passed through the lower house earlier this month.
With most votes locked in, the fate of the project rests on the shoulders of three independent MLCs.
Debate is expected to continue late into the evening.
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Originally published as Tasmania stadium showdown looms as 15,000 supporters descend on Hobart for rally
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