Tasmania Divided Over AFL Stadium Proposal
Thousands of protestors descended upon the lawns of parliament house in Hobart this weekend, creating a dramatic scene of division over plans for a new stadium at Macquarie Point. In a remarkable display of public sentiment, approximately 15,000 people braved rainy conditions to voice their support for the controversial project, just one week after a separate rally attracted thousands opposing the development.
The High-Stakes Political Battle
The polarising issue has placed Tasmania at a crossroads, with the state government facing a crucial parliamentary vote this week that could determine the future of its AFL ambitions. Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the project's lead proponent, addressed the supportive crowd as drizzle intensified over Hobart, declaring: "I think we're going to need an even bigger stadium."
Organisers had hoped the gathering might become Tasmania's largest political rally in history, and police confirmed the turnout represented "a significant crowd, with potentially up to 15,000 people." This compares to the previous week's anti-stadium rally, where organisers claimed 7,000 attendees while police estimated approximately 1,500.
Financial Concerns and Community Division
At the heart of the controversy lies the stadium's staggering $1.13 billion price tag, with the AFL contributing just $15 million despite making the venue a condition of Tasmania joining the mainland competition. The federal government has committed $240 million, leaving Tasmania - already $5 billion in debt and facing a recent credit rating downgrade - to cover the remainder.
Rockliff acknowledged to the crowd that for many, "the deal is not perfect," but emphasised they were "standing here for our future, and for something, not against something." The rally featured unusual unity across political lines, with the Liberal leader sharing the stage with Labor leader Josh Willie, former Labor leader David O'Byrne, construction union representatives, and sporting legends including Melbourne president and Tasmanian product Brad Green.
Despite the influential backing, organisers maintained the event represented a grassroots movement. Pro-stadium Facebook page administrator and Sunday's organiser Mark Brown described himself as "just a regular bloke from the suburbs" and urged upper house members to "approve the stadium when it comes before them this week."
Opposition to the stadium has been equally passionate, with critics arguing the funds would be better spent on health, education and housing. The anti-stadium camp includes Greens and independent MPs, along with community members concerned about the location's significance to local Palawa people and former diggers connected to the Macquarie Point site.
Adding weight to opposition arguments, an independent planning assessment concluded in September that the project should not proceed due to its high cost and numerous problems. Treasurer Eric Abetz dismissed the commission's findings as "subjective assessments," while assessor Shelley Penn countered: "There's a difference between taste and quality."
As Tasmania awaits this week's decisive vote, retired mechanic Brian Clark, attending only his second-ever rally at age 66, captured the emotional stakes: "There's going to be a lot of angst if this doesn't go through. It's part of Tasmania, it's part of me. I'm nearly 70 and I want this. I've wanted it for 30, 40 years."
