Hobart City Council votes to tear down statue of premier William Crowther

A statue of a bone-hunting former Tasmanian premier William Crowther will be torn down setting a nation-leading precedent.

The statue of William Crowther in Hobart’s Franklin Square. Picture: Chris Kidd

A statue of a bone-hunting former Tasmanian premier will be torn down in an “historic precedent” for removal of colonial monuments nationally.

In an at times fiery debate, Hobart City councillors agreed – by seven votes to four – to remove the statue of William Crowther, who in 1869 was accused of removing and stealing the skull of Aboriginal man William Lanne.

A pre-prepared release by the council said it had set a nation-leading precedent by becoming the first to “formally vote in favour for the removal of a colonial monument”.

“This is one small part of a discussion that is happening about truth telling,” said Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds. “Around the country … the community does want to take steps to have a much more honest and brave conversation about our colonial history.

“To make a decision to relocate this statue does not change history. We are making a new historic decision for our city … We’re saying we’re ready to have truth telling take prime position in our prime civic square.

“It’s a decision of leadership. It’s a decision of principle and it’s an important new chapter in our history.”

The statue debate was inflamed by revelations a PR firm hired by Hobart City Council prepared – and accidentally released – a press release announcing the decision before the meeting even began. Picture: Kathryn Leahy

However, several historians had urged a delay on the vote, arguing further research was required before being able to conclude Crowther – who denied the claims against him – was guilty of the mutilation.

A motion to put the decision to an elector vote was defeated, while debate was inflamed by revelations a PR firm hired by the council prepared – and accidentally released – a press release announcing the decision before the meeting even began.

“Someone could see that and come to a conclusion that this was done deal,” Alderman Simon Behrakis told the meeting.

Mr Behrakis and other aldermen also expressed concern that the decision was being made at the last meeting before a council election.

He likened removal of the statue to “burning books”.

“We need to preserve our history warts and all,” he said. “Removing this statue does sanitise history,” he said.

Councillor Jax Fox said removal of the statue was “the right thing to do” and had strong community support.

Under the decision, $20,000 will be spent to remove the statue to the city’s valuables collection “until a permanent home is found”. A further $50,000 will be spent on “interpretative elements onsite”.

A policy will now be developed to guide the removal or addition of other monuments.

The move is strongly backed by several Aboriginal groups, members of which attending Monday’s meeting held up photographs of Lanne and a skull.

They argue there is little doubt Crowther was a “body-snatcher” and the statue is a symbol of racism and oppression.

However, one group, the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation, on Monday said some of the accusations against Crowther were “fanciful” and accused the council of failing to act on historic facts.

HCC chief executive Kelly Grigsby said no media statement had been authorised for release before the meeting started.