Vandals have cut down the statue of a disgraced colonial-era politician in Hobart on the day a civil tribunal – in what the council says is a national first – gave the green light to the city to remove it.
Locals woke up this morning to discover the bronzed sculpture of William Crowther, which had stood at Franklin Square since 1889, had been cut from its ankles.
The plinth was splattered with "what goes around" in red paint.
The area has been taped off as the police and Hobart City Council investigate.
Crowther broke into a morgue, removed the skull of Indigenous man William Lanne and sent it to surgeons in London.
The statue of the former premier has been the subject of hurt and debate among locals and sparked a years-long process to remove it.
As the statue laid face first 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 verified 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 telling the truth about our colonial history.
"It is a critical step for Hobart in acknowledging and addressing 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.
This news was marred by the overnight vandalism, Reynolds said.
"We strongly condemn this vandalism," she said.
"Vandalism doesn't build bridges, it doesn't build goodwill, it is unlawful and so it's disappointing that vandalism that took place when the decision was a very positive one."
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre argued the "vandalism" was instead "truth telling".
"Grave robbers, skeleton robbers, and deniers of the attempted genocide in our state do not deserve respect today," the centre said.
Police urged anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
