The Coalition for Marriage has finally found a venue for a rally in Hobart on Friday after it was left scrambling to book a location.
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The coalition was set to hold its anti-marriage equality rally at the Wrest Point Casino, but was forced to change its plans after being told the venue could not accommodate the booking.
Instead, the University of Tasmania will provide the venue for the rally, it was announced on Thursday.
High profile advocates such as Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton, Senator Cory Bernardi, and Victorian MP Kevin Andrews will address the crowd.
The event is also set to feature parents speaking about the “radical LGBTIQ sex and gender programs” in Australian schools and the impact changes to the law could have on religious freedom.
“Leaders in the gay marriage movement have already sought to use human rights and anti-discrimination commissions to target religious figures who have spoken out against same-sex marriage,” the Coalition for Marriage website said.
Coalition for Marriage Tasmania spokesperson Mark Brown said the organisation had attempted to hire other venues.
“Unfortunately, after initially being enthusiastic about our booking, these same venues have told us that the bookings couldn’t be accommodated,” Mr Brown said.
On Thursday, Federal Group executive general manager of corporate affairs Daniel Hanna said the rally would have put “considerable pressure” on his staff and security resources.
Dr Hanna said that at the time of notifying the Coalition for Marriage of the decision, payment had not yet been received for the event.
“There was a very short lead time on this event and our rosters are set well in advance – we did not have the ability to confirm if our staff were comfortable to work at this event,” he said.
A UTAS spokesperson said the Coalition for Marriage submitted a formal contract for hire on Thursday.
“As the only university in Tasmania we play an important role in encouraging discussion of all issues facing society,” they said.