$5 MILLION TASMANIAN SAVE OUR FOOTY FUND

JULIE COLLINS MP.
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4 years ago
$5 MILLION TASMANIAN SAVE OUR FOOTY FUND
JULIE COLLINS MP
A Shorten Labor government will invest $5 million into a grassroots Tasmanian Save our Footy Fund. 
 
The funding will be made available to local clubs across the state, supporting the development of both male and female players and building a stronger Tasmanian State League. 
 
Member for Bass Ross Hart announced that the first two projects to be funded under the scheme would each receive $150,000 for lighting upgrades at the George Town and Bridport Football Clubs. 
 
“This will allow training and games to take place in the late afternoon and evening, meaning players get to enjoy more time on the ground,” said Mr Hart. 
 
“Labor’s Save Our Footy Fund is the first step to building the strong foundations needed for a bright future for Tasmanian football – with the ultimate objective of an AFL club licence and a team representing all Tasmanians”. 
 
More projects will be announced across Tasmania in coming days and weeks. 
 
Labor has also committed $25 million in seed funding towards the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL club, contingent on the AFL granting licences for Tassie teams in both the men’s and women’s leagues. 
 
This funding will be directed to investments that will support a new club, including facilities and player development. 
 
Shadow Minister for Sport Senator Don Farrell said Labor will make $1 million of the funding available to assist the establishment of Tasmanian sides in the VFL and TAC competitions in coming years. 
 
“Having a permanent AFL presence will be great for young players, local clubs and footy followers across the State, and great for the Tassie economy,” Senator Farrell said. 
 
“This won’t be an easy task and it won’t happen overnight, but Tasmania deserves some progress after years of being strung along on the possibility of a team and this $25 million provides a strong incentive for that to happen.” 
 
Labor is backing Tasmanians and their future – better schools for kids, better job opportunities through TAFE, and better access to facilities across all sports for Tassie communities.  
 
More grants to other sporting organisations will also be announced across the course of the election campaign. 
 
And we can afford to do this because unlike Scott Morrison and the Liberals, we won’t be giving an $80 billion handout to multinationals and the big banks. 
 
A Shorten Labor Government will bring a fair go back to Tasmania. 
 
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