A delegation of anti-stadium Tasmanian MPs and mayors will travel to Melbourne on Wednesday to urge the AFL to drop its stadium requirement for the state’s team bid.
The group has secured a 30-minute meeting with AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley to argue against the proposed 23,000-seat multi-purpose roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
Independent MP Kristie Johnston said the meeting was a step forward, despite the AFL previously insisting it would not change its stance.
“That’s a positive step in the right direction and it shows a willingness for AFL to at least listen to the elected representatives of the Tasmanian parliament,” she said.
The delegation plans to present the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s adverse recommendations and argue the state needs a team but not a new stadium.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the group would include MPs Vica Bayley and Cassy O’Connor and confirmed they are funding the trip themselves.
“The Greens MPs … who will be going to Melbourne tomorrow are doing it completely under their own steam and paying for the costs themselves,” she said.
“We look forward to having a serious conversation about why Tasmania cannot afford and should not have a new stadium in the middle of Macquarie Point.”
The meeting comes just days before the lower house debates an order to approve the project.
This will happen when parliament resumes in November, with an upper house vote expected in early December.
