A protest against the Macquarie Point stadium will take place on Parliament Lawns in Hobart today, as opponents make a final push to influence the upcoming Legislative Council vote.
The 11am rally, organised by the No New Stadium group headed by Roland Browne, will feature prominent speakers including Greens MLC for Hobart Cassy O’Connor, human rights lawyer Greg Barns and Independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb.
Footballer Brent ‘Tiger’ Crosswell, who played in eight VFL premierships, is also set to address the crowd.
Organisers are urging Upper House members to reject the order to approve the stadium when they vote in early December.
“We want the Upper House members to know we appreciate the pressure they are being put under, threatened that they will be blamed if the AFL destroys the dreams of so many,” the group said.
The rally comes after the order passed the Lower House earlier this month with support from both the Liberal government and Labor opposition, despite the Tasmanian Planning Commission advising against the project.
Organisers have arranged buses from Launceston and the East Coast to bring protesters to today’s event, with subsidised fares to encourage attendance.
Proponents of the stadium are planning their own demonstration on Parliament Lawns for November 30.
The Legislative Council is expected to vote on the stadium proposal in early December.
