Vandals Topple Colonial-Era Statue of Australian Premier Linked to Aboriginal Mutilation
Prior to a pivotal ruling, protestors took down a statue honoring former Tasmanian premier William Crowther, accused of desecrating the body of Aboriginal leader William Lanne. The tribunal’s decision upheld the permanent removal of the monument, ending years of controversy.
The incident occurred just hours before the ruling, with demonstrators sawing through the statue’s legs and leaving graffiti condemning colonial violence. Crowther stands accused of severing and stealing Lanne’s skull, replacing it to conceal his actions, sparking outrage among First Nations advocates.
Hobart’s council, in a landmark move, voted in 2022 to remove the statue from Franklin Square, igniting a heritage dispute now resolved. Mayor Anna Reynolds expressed disappointment over the pre-emptive vandalism, emphasizing the city’s commitment to truth-telling regarding its colonial past.
Authorities are investigating the damage, with plans to commission a replacement artwork that offers a more comprehensive narrative of Hobart’s history, including Crowther’s controversial legacy. In the interim, a temporary display will provide context on Crowther’s actions and their impact on Aboriginal communities.