Tasmanian Labor is urging the Premier to reconsider attendance numbers at the upcoming SFL grand final.
Shadow Minister for Sport David O’Byrne said the huge discrepancy between crowd limits at the SFL and TSL grand finals make no sense.
“More than 3,000 people are allowed to attend the North Launceston-Launceston TSL grand final in Launceston, yet only 1,000 people can watch the SFL’s first all-Huon grand final,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“This discrepancy is hard to fathom, especially in light of Tasmania’s excellent public health position, with no community transmission in months and the state’s borders still closed.
“Many family and community members want to watch Saturday’s Cygnet-Huonville grand final, and allowing only 1,000 people to attend, including players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, kiosk staff and security, means many will miss out.
“The Premier is using public health advice to justify this decision but there is no justification. It makes no sense and is bloody minded.
“For him to compare the country football ground at Deloraine to the historical home of Southern football in North Hobart, and to compare the trial management of COVID restrictions at a TSL roster game run by a single club to an association grand final, is disingenuous at best.
“The SFL is simply looking to increase numbers to a fair yet safe capacity, and the government needs to find a way to work with them to make this happen.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Sport
