National Maritime Museum not interested in our “orange Roughy”

A last ditch bid to stop the iconic Aurora Australis leaving Hobart has been dealt a blow with Canberra showing no interest in saving the vessel a local MP says is a vital part of Tassie history.

THE campaign to keep the Aurora Australis in Hobart has been dealt a major blow with word the National Maritime Museum is not interested in adding the icebreaker to its collection.

It was revealed last month that the State’s favourite icebreaker could be headed for South America with reports the ship had been sold to Argentinian interests for $US2 million.

The icebreaker is being replaced by a new vessel, the Nuyina, which will arrive in Tasmania for the 2020-21 Antarctic season, but a campaign was mounted to keep the Aurora Australis in the Derwent in its retirement.

The Aurora Australis Foundation, established to campaign for the ship to become a floating museum, was even in talks through a broker about acquiring the vessel itself.

Clark MP Andrew Wilkie wrote to Minister Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts asking he exercise the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 to at least allow for a comprehensive heritage assessment to be completed for the vessel.

The Aurora Australis icebreaker and research vessel.

But on Monday, Mr Fletcher said acquisition decisions were a matter for the council and senior management of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

“The Minister has been advised that the museum has no plans to acquire the Aurora Australis,” he said.

Mr Wilkie said it appeared his pleas to the Prime Minister, Minister Paul Fletcher and the Tasmanian Premier had all fallen on deaf ears.

“This is deeply regrettable, and frankly a wasted opportunity, as the Aurora Australis presents a unique opportunity to showcase Tasmania’s historical and cultural heritage,” Mr Wilkie said.

“What’s more, the vessel is central to Tasmania’s identity and is much loved by the community.

“It’s unfortunate and extremely disappointing that neither the State or Federal Government recognises its inherent value, and are prepared to see it sold to the Argentinians for little more than scrap value.”