Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges Tasmanian upper house to approve stadium
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Tasmanian politicians to back the $1.13bn Macquarie Point stadium as the upper house prepares for a crucial vote next week.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged members of the Tasmanian Legislative Council to vote in favour of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.
The upper house is expected to debate – and to vote on – an order to build the stadium in state parliament next week.
It will determine whether the $1.13bn project, which is a condition of the state’s AFL team bid, goes ahead.
Mr Albanese said he had met Premier Jeremy Rockliff in Canberra this week and said the Legislative Council should vote in favour of the stadium.
The federal government is providing $240m for the Macquarie Point Urban Redevelopment.
“I have a very good relationship with Jeremy,” Mr Albanese said on Thursday, “and I certainly take this opportunity to call upon members of the Legislative Council in Tasmania to vote for the stadium and to vote for Tasmania getting a footy club.
“Vote for Tasmanian young people having the opportunity to stay in Tasmania and to dream of playing for the Tassie Devils.
“You have an important task ahead in the coming week, and I don’t want to see that go backwards.
“And so that was certainly one of the discussions that I had with Premier Rockliff.”
Opposition leader Josh Willie has been added to the speakers’ list of the Yes AFL Teams Yes Stadium rally at Parliament House lawns at 1pm on Sunday.
“Our rally will be positive, relay accurate information and clearly highlight the tremendous opportunity the team and stadium will provide for the whole state,” organiser Steven Hay said.
“We’ll have speakers representing all of Tasmania and not just from inner-city Hobart.
“Our rally will clearly demonstrate the multiple benefits of the Devils club and the Mac 1.0 stadium for Tasmanians.”
Speakers at the rally will include businessman and property developer Errol Stewart, Jackjumpers CEO Christine Finnegan and Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
A marathon debate – then stadium approval loomed
