Stop the Macquarie Point Stadium: Public protest set to oppose plans

Those opposed to a stadium at Macquarie Point are expected to turn out on Parliament Lawns next weekend. THEIR GAMEPLAN >

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Hobart annouce to funding for Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The public campaign against the Macquarie Point stadium will kick off in earnest next weekend with a demonstration in Hobart calling for the project to be scrapped.

The Stop the Stadium rally will take place on Parliament Lawns at noon on May 13 with speakers expected to include Senator Jacquie Lambie, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor, Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Nelson MLC Meg Webb and Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie.

Organiser Roland Browne said he expected a diverse range of people to attend to express their views on the project

“It’s a rally that’s going to channel the considerable anger about the plan to construct the stadium and the impact that’s going to have on the state’s finances, on the Cenotaph in particular and on the welfare of people of Hobart and Tasmania,” he said.

“The messages is that we need to stand up to the AFL. We want an AFL team, it needs to be decoupled from the stadium.”

The state government on Wednesday signed a deal with the AFL for a Tasmanian-based team to become the 19th in the national competition.

It is conditional on the construction of a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point by the start of the 2029 season.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Hobart in relation to funding for a stadium at Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

On Friday, Ms Reynolds said she felt like the proceed has been secretive and rushed.

“It is a very significant investment of public funding,” she said.

“I think ourselves and the community more broadly will be keeping a close eye on the project and [are] really keen to ensure the process from this point forward is on which involves a broader range of people rather than just one that involves the AFL

‘I don’t think my views have really changed, personally I think we’ve all been surprised by the way the process has evolved in a very short time

“The council signed off on a plan, a masterplan for Macquarie Point and that direction shifted six months ago

“My fellow elected members and myself have only had one formal meeting with the state government

“I think it’s fair that the council and the community feels like the process hasn’t been ideal.”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA.. NCA NewsWire Photos. APRIL 29, 2023. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The Prime Minister was at Macquarie Point in the Tasmanian capital to announce the $240m investment into the “one-in-a-generation” urban renewal project, which will pave the way for Tasmania to enter the AFL. A small group of protesters, armed with umpire’s whistlers and banners and signs, disrupted proceedings.Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Alastair Bett

Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Friday challenged reporters to grill the opposition on their stance on the stadium.

“The question that you need to pose to the Labor Party is that do they support an AFL team or not because we need the stadium and the precinct to make the AFL team come alive,” he said.

“They won’t get that if politics is being played by the Labor Party and the Greens when it comes to the stadium.

“We need the stadium to ensure the team. And that’s very, very clear and you cannot have one without the other.

“The Labor Party needs to be very honest with the Tasmanian people. They can be against the stadium and say no to it — but they’ll also be saying no to an AFL and an AFLW team.”

Labor’s Josh Willie said the project may be a key issue at the next state election.

“This stadium may well be an election issue. Of course, we still think it’s the wrong priority. Premier Rockliff went to Canberra.

‘He didn’t say to the politicians in Canberra that Tasmanians are struggling with the cost of living and we need some relief.

“He didn’t go to Canberra and say we need more investment in our health service because Tasmanians aren’t getting the health care they deserve.

“He didn’t go to Canberra and say that there were too many Tasmanians that don’t have a roof over their head and we need more investment in housing.

‘He went to Canberra and asked for a stadium for the richest sport in Australia.”