PM Malcolm Turnbull lobbies AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan for Tassie’s own AFL team
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has personally lobbied footy boss Gillon McLachlan for a Tasmanian team in the AFL.
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PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has personally lobbied footy boss Gillon McLachlan for a Tasmanian team in the AFL.
The two spoke about the crisis in Tasmanian football when they attended Saturday night’s Essendon-Richmond Dreamtime at the ’G clash.
Mr Turnbull is understood to have told Mr McLachlan that while he acknowledged it was ultimately a decision for the AFL, he wanted to make it known he was personally supportive of having Tasmania having its own team.
The Prime Minister asked that he be kept updated on future developments.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister confirmed the meeting but would not discuss the contents of the conversation.
However, he said Mr Turnbull remained “enthusiastic and hopeful Tasmania is granted a team”.
Mr McLachlan is understood to have responded to the PM’s request by providing an update of the work of his steering committee into Tassie footy.
Last week, Mr McLachlan said it was important to fix community football and put in place effective talent pathways for junior and elite male and female players before a Tassie team could be considered.
MORE: GILL SAYS TALENT PATHWAYS ARE KEY
When Mr Turnbull was in Tasmania last month he expressed his personal hope that there be a team representing the state in the AFL.
MORE: PM SUPPORTS TASSIE’S AFL PUSH
“It’s part of Tasmania’s way of life,” Mr Turnbull said at the time.
“You couldn’t imagine the AFL without the contribution of Tasmania or Tasmanians, so I hope there is a Tasmanian AFL team — but it’s going to be a matter for the AFL.”
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten last week endorsed a push for an AFL team based here by Tasmania’s four state Labor MPs in the federal Lower House.
MORE: SHORTEN ON TASSIE FAMILY HOLIDAY
The AFL did not comment.
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