A show of support for the Macquarie Point stadium will take place in Hobart today, with a pro-stadium rally to be held on Parliament Lawns from 1pm.
The “Yes AFL Teams Yes Stadium” rally is aiming to demonstrate public backing for the proposed multipurpose stadium, which has support from both the Liberals and Labor, ahead of a crucial upper house vote next week.
Rally organisers say the event will showcase “incredibly strong Tasmanian support” for both the team and stadium project.
“Our rally will be positive, relay accurate information and clearly highlight the tremendous opportunity the team and stadium will provide for the whole state,” said Steven Hay, president of the Yes AFL Teams Yes Stadium Association.
Organisers have prepared 1000 signs to distribute to supporters, with many ‘working class Tasmanians’ expected to attend their first-ever protest.
The rally features a diverse lineup of speakers including JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan and businessman Errol Stewart.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Josh Willie are both scheduled to address the crowd.
Today’s demonstration comes one week after an anti-stadium rally where police estimated approximately 1,500 people gathered at the same location to oppose the project.
At that event, VFL legend Brent “Tiger” Crosswell called the stadium “ugly” and claimed it would “deface” historical Hobart, while Independent MLC Meg Webb urged the Legislative Council to reject the project.
The rally begins at 1pm today at Parliament House lawns.
The Legislative Council is expected to vote on the controversial stadium project next week, determining whether the $1.1 billion facility at Macquarie Point will proceed.
The stadium is a condition of Tasmania being granted its AFL licence.
