Large crowd attends anti-stadium rally in Hobart, but minister says, 'We've got to get on with it'

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Another day, another rally. Many have gathered outside Hobart’s parliament to protest the building of the Macquarie Point stadium. Frustrated locals are putting pressure on a government that insists the build is necessary.

Transcript

00:00A now familiar tune ringing out on Hobart's Parliament lawns, as opponents of the Macquarie

00:12Point Stadium made their voices heard.

00:16The level of anger in the community about this stadium is palpable and it's just growing.

00:23The rally rounded out a week of debate in State Parliament, with the government facing

00:28questions over its promise to cap spending at $375 million and issuing an ultimatum to

00:35the Upper House to support its stadium legislation.

00:39How dare the Premier of this state hold our team, our promised team to ransom in this way.

00:48The State Government backing the project as a crucial piece of infrastructure.

00:52Stadium infrastructure is always a tough build, whether it's the Adelaide Oval, the Perth

00:57Oval, the upcoming Brisbane Olympics, I'd be so disappointed if we missed our chance.

01:02Labor also faced criticism for its stadium position.

01:05But at the end of the day, they are Liberalite and are willing to vote for it no matter what.

01:11We support a stadium because we know it's important, we know it's required to get the

01:15AFL team, but we are not here to draw an arbitrary line in the sand about how far our support

01:21goes without all the information.

01:23The rally comes on the same day major hospitality player Federal Group has called on the government

01:28to reconsider its decision to fast track the project through State Parliament, arguing it

01:33only exacerbates an already divisive project.

01:37Meanwhile Tasmania Devils Chief Executive Brendan Gale says these projects are always contentious,

01:43and that it's clear, no stadium, no team.

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