Carly Allen to run for Greens in Upper House and to vote against Mac Point stadium

The Greens are hoping their Legislative candidate for the seat of Pembroke will be elected, giving them a second member in the powerful Upper House.

Doctor Rosalie Woodruff Greens leader, candidate Carly Allen, Cassy O'Connor Greens member for Hobart. Greens Pembroke candidate Carly Allen for the 2025 legislative council seat elections. Picture: Tasmanian Greens

The Greens are hoping to elect a second member to Tasmania’s upper house with small business owner Carly Allen to run in Pembroke, giving voters the chance to say no to the Macquarie Point stadium, the party says.

Former Greens leader, and the Green’s first Legislative Council member, Cassy O’Connor, says with the stadium set to come before parliament it is “critical we elect new MLCs who will vote against the stadium and for Tasmanians”.

Ms Allen, 52, who works with her brother in a family food business, and is a graphic designer and marketing and events manager, said she had lived on the Eastern Shore for 16 years and was the mother of two boys aged 16 and 10.

Greens Pembroke candidate Carly Allen for the 2025 legislative council seat elections. Picture: Tasmanian Greens

“I haven’t done any political work before, but I’ve always supported the Greens since we moved to Tassie in 2008,” she said.

“I am so excited. I’m buzzing because the people just need a voice.

“The Greens’ values have always been the core, really, of my family and what I believe in.

“I see first-hand the cost of living crisis.

“We have a housing affordability and rental crisis. It’s devastating what’s happening.”

Ms Allen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last March during a year she spent in the UK with her husband Tom and sons, said she would also campaign on better health care.

She described her breast cancer diagnosis as “horrendous” and said she had half her breast removed and radiation treatment.

“We need better healthcare, including dental, because if you don’t have good teeth, you don’t have good health or a healthy, thriving community,” Ms Allen said.

“I’ve become a stronger person and hence I can’t let things happen that aren’t right. I need to stand up.

“I think people are just tired of not being listened to.”

Ms Allen said congestion needed to be addressed and planning needed to be sustainable and transparent.

Ms O’Connor said if Ms Allen was elected “we could make real change with another Green vote”.

Cassy O'Connor arrives with family to vote. Cassy O'Connor at the Goulburn Street Primary School polling booth on election day for the seat of Hobart in the Legislative Council elections. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Jeremy Rockliff’s stinker of a stadium is set to come to parliament shortly,” she said.

“By voting Green for Carly, the people of Pembroke can play a decisive role in saving Tasmania from the Rockliff Winter stadium.”

Greens leader Dr Rosalie Woodruff said Ms Allen would be a passionate defender of her community, and “their right to have a say on their local places, like Kangaroo Bay and Rosny Hill”.

She said Ms Allen could hold the government to account “on its terrible priorities”.

The election for three Legislative Council seats will be held on May 24.

Originally published as Carly Allen to run for Greens in Upper House and to vote against Mac Point stadium