Tas: Howard backs Tasmania s case for AFL team

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2000
Tas: Howard backs Tasmania s case for AFL team

By Don Woolford

HOBART, Aug 11 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today threw his weight behind one of
Tasmania's dearest wishes, to get some AFL action.

He did it where the AFL is most likely to come, if it comes at all, Launceston's York Park.

The football ground has just been refurbished, largely through a $5 million federal
government grant.

That could be seen as the $5 million bribe that failed by 78 votes -- Mr Howard having
promised the money during the last election campaign in an effort to save Warwick Smith's
precarious seat of Bass.

The citizens of Launceston rewarded his largesse by narrowly voting in Labor's Michelle O'Byrne.

But the promise was honoured anyway and now York Park, with a new stand and lights,
is "AFL compliant" and has put Launceston ahead of the hated Hobart in the contest to
attract a Melbourne club.

Many of the states politicians of both persuasions (including Ms O'Byrne), Tasmanian
football heavyweights and representatives of Hawthorn and the Kangaroos gathered to hear
Mr Howard open the refurbished ground.

The prime minister put his argument for Tasmania in social terms.

As a kid in Sydney, he recalled, Australian Rules was derided and there were big divisions
between the rugby codes.

Now, many Sydneysiders followed the AFL with affection and interest.

"The great thing is that football has been Australianised," Mr Howard said.

"Sport unifies Australians and cuts across other divides."

Mr Howard said he knew some AFL clubs were interested in Tasmania.

"I welcome and encourage the growing interest in crossing state boundaries and completing
the Australianisation of football," he said.

The refurbished York Park should strengthen Tasmania's claim for AFL action and if
that happened "no-one would be more pleased than ,me".

AAP dw/it

KEYWORD: HOWARD AFL

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