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Vandals hacked down a statue of a disgraced colonial-era politician in Hobart on the day a civil tribunal – which the council says is a First Nation – gave the city the go-ahead to remove it.
Local residents woke up this morning to find that the bronze sculpture of William Crowther, which has stood in Franklin Square since 1889, had been cut off at the ankles.
The plinth was splashed with “what goes around” red paint.
The area has been sealed off while police and Hobart City Council investigate.
Crowther broke into the morgue, removed the skull of local resident William Lann and sent it to surgeons in London.
The statue of the former prime minister was the subject of insult and debate among local residents and sparked a years-long process to have it removed.
With the statue placed face forward in the square, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal today dismissed an appeal against the council’s decision to remove it.
“We are very pleased that the independent planning tribunal has upheld our decision,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“This has been a very careful and consultative process and the tribunal’s decision supports our commitment to tell the truth about our colonial history.
“This is a critical step for Hobart in acknowledging and dealing with the darker aspects of our past.”
The council said the decision made Hobart the first city in Australia to decide to remove a colonial statue.
That news was overshadowed by the vandalism overnight, Reynolds said.
“We strongly condemn this vandalism,” she said.
“Vandalism doesn’t build bridges, it doesn’t build goodwill, it’s illegal and so it’s disappointing that vandalism happened when the decision was very positive.”
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Center claims the “vandalism” is “telling the truth”.
“Grave thieves, skeleton grabbers and deniers of attempted genocide in our country today do not deserve respect,” the center said.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For 24/7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led crisis support, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
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