Hope floats in campaign to keep Aurora Australis in Tasmania

There is new hope in the campaign to keep the Aurora Australis icebreaker in Tasmania.

HOBART MP Andrew Wilkie says he could soon have positive news about the campaign to save the Aurora Australis icebreaker from the scrap heap or being sold overseas.

Mr Wilkie, the federal independent member for Clark, is among those attempting to persuade the state and federal governments to keep the former Antarctic vessel in Hobart, where it has been a much-loved feature of the waterfront since the late 1980s.

The ship completed its final voyage this year and is being replaced by Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina.

AURORA AUSTRALIS RETURNS FROM FINAL VOYAGE

The Aurora Australis docked in Hobart ahead of its final voyage to Antarctica. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

The ship’s owner P&O is reportedly committed to selling the Aurora to Argentina.

Mr Wilkie said he had a positive talk with Argentinian Ambassador Hugo Javier Gobbi about the future of the ship.

“The detail of the conversation needs to remain confidential for now. However I am able to say that we are analysing a range of possibilities for the icebreaker in a very constructive manner, and will be holding further discussions,” Mr Wilkie said.