BATMAN POLITICS

APRIL 7 2021 - 1:00PM .... Premier Peter Gutwein is sitting on the fence over whether or not the Liberal Party will support a Batman Bridge name change. .......................... The Greens have voiced their support for a name change, but the Labor Party is also sitting on the fence over the issue and the Liberals have joined, with both refusing to commit to a decision. .......................... On Wednesday morning, Mr Gutwein said a name change was a matter for local councils and although they had not been formally approached about it, they would be happy to have a conversation. .......................... Do you support the renaming of Batman Bridge? (Poll Closed) No 66.3% .... Yes 33.7% .......................... When it was pointed out the bridge was owned by the state government and therefore the government's decision, Mr Gutwein repeated his answer. .......................... "Well the proposal's being raised, as I understand it, by the George Town Council and obviously, there are a number of councils involved," he said. .......................... "If a proposal comes forward, we'd be happy to consider it and have a conversation about it." .... IN OTHER NEWS: ...... The renewed push came after the George Town Council proposed an art sculpture and plaque at the bridge to commemorate the Litarimirina people last month. .......................... The council approached the City of Launceston council and West Tamar Council for collaboration and support, before it will take the project to the state government for permission. .......................... However, Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Michael Mansell and Launceston councillor Tim Walker want the name changed before anything is placed at the site. .......................... Cr Walker has put forward a motion to acknowledge the name of the bridge is inappropriate, to seek support from the WTC and GTC on a rename, and to write to the state government to request a rename. .......................... Launceston councillors will vote on the motion on Thursday. .......................... Calls to rename the bridge first resurfaced last year after a global push to tear down monuments of racist historical figures, with John Batman's part in the genocide of Aboriginal people behind the push.

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