Council push for ‘Save UTAS’ sign near Crowther statue, despite opposition from group
Two of Hobart’s most controversial issues have collided in a council debate on Monday, which led to the Save UTAS group being labelled ‘hypersensitive’. What happened in the chamber.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two councillors wanted to put a ‘Save UTAS’ sign at the vandalised William Crowther statue, but the group leading the charge against the controversial campus move did not support the suggestion.
Councillors Will Coats and Louise Elliot moved a motion on Monday night that a ‘Respect the vote, Save UTAS’ sign be placed on or near the plinth at Franklin Square, because it would be empty for an extended period.
The suggestion comes after an elector poll, back in 2022, which showed 74 per cent of Hobart City voters did not support the University of Tasmania’s campus move from Sandy Bay to the CBD.
“It almost doesn’t matter what your views are around Crowther, it is a prominent place and it’s used to send a message,” Mr Coats said.
It became clear, the group which spearheaded the campaign against the campus move did not support the idea.
“I went and checked with the Save UTAS Group, it is their sign. They knew nothing at all about this motion, they do not support it,” said Cr Ben Lohberger, who was a founding member of the group.
“They were not contacted prior to it being lodged and they do not want their signage mixed up in a separate and very sensitive issue surrounding the Crowther statue.”
Ms Elliot said the group did not own the cause and were being “hypersensitive”.
“Unless they’ve got copyright, they don’t own the issue, we’re allowed to use red and white, we’re allowed to use fonts and their business name I strongly suspect isn’t registered.”
Mr Coats said it was “deliberate” not to ask the group.
The motion was later withdrawn.
Slim majority of voters want Lib minority government: Poll
New polling conducted by a market research firm has suggested that Tasmanian voters favour the formation of a Liberal minority government in the wake of the July 19 election.
Final seats to be filled in election countdown
Several seats remain on a knife-edge as vote counting continues in Tasmania's state election, with some candidates separated by fewer than 100 votes. The latest from the tally.