Campaigners say their fight to keep the icebreaker is not sunk

The foundation established to fight for the Aurora Australis icebreaker to stay in Tasmania has commissioned a new report it hopes will sway the argument Hobart’s way.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep the Aurora Australis in Hobart say their plans are not sunk.

The Aurora Australis Foundation has commissioned a formal heritage assessment and statement of significance it hopes will persuade Canberra and the Australian National Maritime Museum to support their bid to keep the icebreaker in Tasmania.

It follows a statement from Minister of Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher that acquisition decisions were a matter for the council and senior management of the ANMM and it was not interested in the vessel.

Aurora Australis ahead of its final voyage to Antarctica. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

It also follows reports last month that the icebreaker had been sold to Argentine interests for $US2 million.

Owner P & O Maritime Logistics did not confirm the Aurora Australis had been sold to a South American party but said it had been approached by several interested buyers from around the world.

The AAF on Wednesday said it strongly denied suggestions its campaign to keep the iconic Australian icebreaker RSV Aurora Australis as a ship and Antarctic museum in Hobart had failed.

“Contrary to these reports, the AAF has commissioned a formal heritage assessment and statement of significance to demonstrate the important place this unique ship has in Australia’s Antarctic and maritime history,” AAF Secretary Dr Melanie Van Twest said.

Dr Van Twest said the foundation continued to work hard to keep the Aurora Australis in Australia.

“Our petition continues to grow with over 1600 signatures to date,” she said.

“There is a lot of support for what we are doing.”

Dr Van Twest said that given the AA’s importance as a heritage vessel she welcomed

Minister Fletcher’s statement that acquisition decisions are a matter for the Australian National Maritime Museum.

“The ANMM has already recognised the importance of the Aurora Australis. We have been grateful for its generous provision of advice and information with respect to management of heritage vessels, ́ said Dr Van Twest.

“We hope that a statement of heritage significance will persuade the Minister and ANMM to support us formally.”

Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie has backed the foundation’s fight and written to Mr Fletcher on its behalf.

This week he lamented his pleas may have fallen on deaf ears.