Vandals attack colonial statue of former Tasmanian premier William Crowther on eve of court ruling

A controversial statue of a colonial-era premier has been significantly damaged on the eve of a court ruling about whether it should be removed.

A damaged leg of Hobart's William Crowther statue

A controversial statue of a colonial-era premier has been significantly damaged on the eve of a court ruling about whether it should be removed.

The large statue of Tasmania’s William Crowther, in Hobart’s Franklin Square, has been vandalised, with its legs cut through at least halfway, apparently by grinding equipment.

A planning tribunal is expected on Wednesday to rule whether or not the statue can be removed, after a Hobart City Council decision to topple it was appealed by Crowther defenders.

It appeared someone could not await the outcome, with the statue’s legs cut so far through the council is understood to be concerned it may be unstable.

Hobart councillors are understood to have been advised of “significant damage” to the statue, and that an investigation is underway involving Tasmania Police.

Last year, the council’s planning committee voted to approve the council’s own application to remove the statue, over concerns about Crowther’s alleged role in mutilating an Aboriginal corpse.

Crowther, a surgeon noted for his work for the poor but also as a bone hunter, was in 1869 accused of removing and stealing the skull from the corpse of Aboriginal man William Lanne – a claim he denied.

Removal of the statue would be the first toppling of a monument to an Australian premier, amid the global push to remove symbols of colonialism.

The legal challenge before the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal argued the removal decision was based on incomplete and false heritage information.

One of the councillors opposed to the statue’s removal, Louise Elliot, on Tuesday condemned the attack.

“The statue was paid for by the people of Hobart in 1880s and the people of Hobart have again be fighting to save it,“ Ms Elliot said.

“I have no doubt that the pathetic hypocrites behind this vandalism believe themselves to be kind and tolerant, when it’s clear they’re blinded by their moral righteousness.

“The arrogance to think that you can destroy public property for your own narrow minded activism is astounding. It’s terrible to know that the council I’m a part of has fuelled this division.”

Former alderman Jeff Briscoe, who took the appeal with others, including a Crowther descendant, blamed a “misleading campaign” for “directly” provoking the vandalism.

“It is very sad news for the heritage of Hobart and the future of heritage sculptures throughout Australia,” Mr Briscoe said.

“It is especially upsetting to the community as it occurred on the eve of the decision from our appeal … the activists should be rightly condemned.”

Opponents of the statue’s removal argue Crowther was never proved to be involved in the Lanne mutilation, while others were implicated, and that rather than remove the statue interpretative material should be added.

However supporters of the statue’s downfall, including the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, argue there is little doubt Crowther was involved in the mutilation and his statue is a constant, painful reminder of the abuses suffered by Indigenous people.

The TAC was on Tuesday contacted for comment.