Vandals have attacked multiple monuments dedicated to Australian Prime Ministers in Ballarat overnight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
John Howard's and Tony Abbott's busts along the Prime Ministers Avenue in the Ballarat Botanical Garden have been damaged and sprayed with vile messages.
Mr Howard's has been defaced with red paint and sprayed with the word "homophobe".
Vandalism on Tony Abbott's bust labelled him a "pig" and facist", among other epithets.
Police and City of Ballarat staff were on the scene Saturday morning.
A police media spokesperson said the crime took place between midnight and 2.15am Saturday. They said police were looking for witnesses.
The statues have been since covered up.
There had been notable sentiment about the busts on social media throughout the week, especially in reference to Mr Abbott's bust.
The Courier spoke to the chair of the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens foundation Elizabeth Gilfillan who said:
"I'm devastated about the statues," she said.
"We value each each prime minister in that avenue. To single any out is a shame.
"These are sad times. This has been very divisive. Art is something that should unite us rather than divide us."
Ms Gilfillan said she was not sure additional security measures would work - and that they would be a massive step to take.
The iconic Prime Ministers Avenue showcases a collection of 28 bronze busts dating from federation.
They cost about $30,000 each. All Prime Ministers feature, except for Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.
Malcolm Turnbull is expected to be unveiled shortly.
It is not the first time the busts have been defaced, although perhaps the most damaging.
In 2017, Mr Abbott's bust was draped in a crown of onions, an obvious reference to the time he ate a raw onion on television.
It was also plastered with stickers, which were easily removed.
The mayor at the time, Samantha McIntosh, said respect should be shown to all Australia's former leaders.
"Without any doubt, there should be absolute respect for the position of prime minister," she said in 2017.
"Any of the prime ministers from over the years of Australia history have worked exceptionally hard on behalf of the community and been voted in by many thousands of taxpayers.
"Vandalism, graffiti and rude behaviour should not be tolerated, there is a cost associated each time someone tampers with ratepayer and taxpayer funded infrastructure."
The bust of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was also once draped in a dress.
The vandalism comes at time when historical statues throughout the world are being questioned, as anti-racism movements sweep the globe.
A number of statues in the UK and USA have been damaged or even removed. However, there have not been many reports of such acts in Australia, until now.
