Monument to colonial-era premier cut down in Hobart

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A statue of a controversial colonial-era Tasmanian premier has been toppled in Hobart. The monument honoured premier William Crowther a controversial figure whose actions in the 1800s infuriated Tasmania’s Aboriginal community.

Transcript

00:00 It's a crime scene of historical significance.

00:05 A colonial era statue lying face down in the grass after being sawn off at the ankles.

00:12 We condemn vandalism.

00:14 Vandalism doesn't build bridges, it doesn't build goodwill, it is unlawful.

00:20 William Crowther's statue had been in place in central Hobart since 1889.

00:25 It's overnight removal leaving supporters in shock.

00:29 I found out from this by Crowther's great great granddaughter in tears ringing me.

00:34 Pure devastation.

00:35 Crowther did a lot of good things.

00:38 Crowther was a former premier and surgeon in Tasmania, but he also cut off and stole

00:43 the skull of Aboriginal man William Lanney.

00:47 This man mutilated an Aboriginal man because of his race.

00:52 For decades Tasmania's Aboriginal community has campaigned for the statue's removal, saying

00:58 it's an offensive reminder of the many atrocities perpetrated since colonisation.

01:04 Hobart City Council last year voted for it to go, but the statue remained in situ pending

01:10 an appeal.

01:11 Someone's taken it upon themselves to bring about some action and justice for Aboriginal

01:17 people.

01:18 The outcome of the review was revealed just hours after the statue was toppled, with a

01:23 tribunal finding in favour of the council's previous decision to remove it from its plinth

01:29 and replace it with a sign.

01:31 This is a very important decision for Hobart's commitment to truth telling.

01:37 The damaged statue is now being stored in a secure location, with no plans to return

01:42 it to its plinth.

01:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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