City of Darwin say PM’s NT trip cancellation reason behind Cyclone Tracy sculpture event axing

The exclusive event for the controversial Cyclone Tracy kinetic sculpture launch has been cancelled due to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese abandoning his Top End trip. READ THE LATEST.

Artist's render of the Bundilla Beach sculpture Coriolis. The exclusive event for the controversial Cyclone Tracy kinetic sculpture VIP launch has been cancelled.

The exclusive event for the controversial Cyclone Tracy kinetic sculpture launch has been cancelled due to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese removing himself from the guest list, the City of Darwin has claimed.

On Thursday morning, VIP guests who were registered to attend the event on Friday afternoon received notification the unveiling of the kinetic sculpture would not be going ahead due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

However, this Saturday’s planned commemorative event at the Darwin Ski Club will still go ahead.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has been criticised by Cyclone Tracy survivors. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The cancellation of the unveiling comes as survivors of the cyclone expressed ongoing outrage they were not invited to the event.

When approached by this masthead, a City of Darwin spokesperson revealed the “unforeseen circumstances” that led to the cancellation had been a decision by Mr Albanese to remove himself from the guest list – after cancelling his trip to the Top End.

The City of Darwin spokesperson maintained the event had not been cancelled due to any negative community response.

“City of Darwin made the decision to cancel the Cyclone Tracy: Kinetic Sculpture VIP Launch yesterday afternoon (November 27) for a number of reasons, including some VIPs were no longer able to attend and also due to the fact the area around the kinetic sculpture is still a worksite and access is limited.”

Bundilla Beach sculpture Coriolis on Thursday afternoon.

The spokesperson encouraged community members to enjoy Saturday’s free event.

“The public commemoration event on Saturday, November 30, 2024, will still proceed and we look forward to welcoming all members of the community to this family-friendly event,” they said.

“The free community event is being held at the Darwin Ski Club and will provide an opportunity for the community, visitors and survivors to connect, learn and commemorate - it is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Cyclone Tracy website for those who are unable to attend in person.”

Antony Bullock said he and other survivors would protest the event.

Cyclone Tracy survivor Antony Bullock, who last week said he and other survivors would protest the event, claimed Mr Albanese’s absence should not have influenced the decision to cancel it.

“That’s entirely false,” he told this masthead.

“I know a lot of people who are extremely happy this has been cancelled – the whole thing was used to serve everyone but survivors of Cyclone Tracy.”

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said he was in close communication.

A spokesman from Mr Albanese’s office advised the PM would visit Darwin for commemorations at a later date.