Lara Alexander says Premier “only has himself to blame for another Franklin Dam and Pulp Mill moment”

Eyebrows have been raised after Liberal defector Lara Alexander said she felt “vindicated” seeing “thousands” of stadium protesters on parliament lawns — with some questioning the true number of attendees. WHAT READERS SAY

EYEBROWS have been raised after Liberal defector Lara Alexander said she felt “vindicated” seeing “thousands” of stadium protesters on parliament lawns — with commentators questioning the true number of attendees.

“They counted hundreds of people who were just walking through the park to get to the Market. That’s why they held the protest when and where they did,” a reader said.

The Mercury was present at the rally, which grew into its thousands as the event progressed.

Amid the debate, readers continued voicing their support for the Macquarie Point stadium.

Commenter Mark said “across the world, in every city where high level sport is played, there is a stadium, or multiple stadia” that generates revenue, tourists and visitors boosting economic activity.

Lara Alexander member for Bass and John Tucker member for Lyons in Launceston. Both members of the Tasmanian parliament have now resigned as Liberal sitting members. Picture: Patrick Gee

“That revenue is returned to the government through taxes to pay for essential services and to businesses that reinvest profit back into their activities,” Mark said. “These businesses employ people, who pay taxes. They buy products and services to on-sell to the public. That’s the cycle of investment.

“Why, then, do the Anti-Stadium NoSayers assume Mac Point will be the only stadium in the world that costs money without any return. It makes no sense to think that only in Tasmania do the rules of economic activity not apply.”

The MPs received some support for their actions.

“We need more politicians that listen to the people instead of towing the party lines at the cost to their communities and electorates,” Simon Mathews said.

“Well done Lara and John for not just being yes people and using your brains.”

Stop the Stadium rally on parliament lawns Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Others called for an immediate public vote to put the issue to bed.

“This is one project that should have gone for a referendum, and then let the people decide, if it had gone for a vote and the majority wanted it then I would have supported it, but I do not, and both sides of parliament in this state are just as hopeless as each other,” Hewitt Shane said.

‘Vindicated’: Alexander says Premier only has himself to blame

By Sue Bailey

Lara Alexander, one of two Liberal MPs who defected to sit on the crossbench, says she feels ‘vindicated’ after thousands attended a rally opposed to an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

The now independent MHA said the “shady deal” to build a stadium in Hobart had divided the community and Premier Jeremy Rockliff “only has himself to blame” for the fallout from the stadium.

“If I had any doubts about my decision to continue as an independent, it has been vindicated by the thousands of concerned citizens who gathered on the lawns of Parliament House to voice their opposition to the Rockliff government’s plan to build a $715m stadium at Macquarie Point,” Mrs Alexander said.

“It is not often that I agree with Tasmanian Labor and the Greens, but if we are going to spend upwards of one billion dollars of taxpayers’ money, it should be allocated to essential services such as health and priorities like housing.

Stop the Stadium rally on parliament lawns Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“As it stands, the only way homeless Tasmanians can look forward to a roof over their heads is to buy a ticket to watch the footy at the Rockliff’s stadium.”

Ms Alexander, who with Lyons MHA John Tucker resigned from the party on Friday, repeated concerns about the government’s priorities.

She lambasted Mr Rockliff for a lack of detail.

“If the AFL stadium deal has caused political turmoil, the Premier has no one to blame but himself.

“He has refused to share details of the contracts he signed with the AFL with his parliamentary colleagues, the parliament, and the community.

“There is zero transparency or accountability in his decision-making process. As a result, the Premier must understand that the government’s actions have consequences.

Lara Alexander, member for Bass in Launceston, says her decision to quit the Liberals has been vindicated. Picture: Patrick Gee

“The rally on the lawns of Parliament House highlights the growing discontent among Tasmanians about the stadium debacle.

“It will go down in history as another Franklin Dam and Pulp Mill moment where the government needed to be reminded that they work for the people, not vice versa.”

Ms Alexander said the proposed stadium would “burden future generations with an insurmountable mountain of debt” that would have to be paid by “our children and grandchildren”.

“The decision to prioritise an extravagant stadium over the basic needs of our people is not just foolhardy but morally bankrupt.

It reflects a disregard for the wellbeing and livelihoods of ordinary Tasmanians, whose concerns and hardships are being overshadowed by this ill-conceived project.”

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said the government respected different views on major projects.

“Not everybody has the same opinion on these projects, we’ll continue to work through the process as is proper, but we’re determined to get on with it on the basis we have significant federal funding which really demonstrated the business case was persuasive for Anthony Albanese, our Prime Minister,” he said.

“John and Lara to their credit, as members who are now independent, were elected as Liberals and were elected to support the Liberal plan.

“It’s good that they’ve made it clear they’re not going to try and do anything silly to disrupt the government to take away supply or confidence, which is the key element of ongoing stability.”