The Tasmanian government will introduce new laws to better protect war memorials across the state after recent vandalism labelled a “attack on the memory of those who gave their lives”.
Liberal MP Michael Ferguson said the desecration of the St Helens War Memorial was a wake-up call that prompted action.
“This was not just an attack on a piece of stone, but an attack on the memory of those who gave their lives to defend our nation and our way of life,” Ferguson said.
The proposed legislation will quadruple penalties from the current $5000 fine and one-year jail term to match New South Wales laws, which carry seven-year prison sentences and higher fines.
Offenders will also be required to pay for repairs and complete community service in the affected area under the new laws.
“It should be offenders footing the bill for repairs, not local councils or RSLs,” Ferguson said.
St Helens RSL president Claire Norton, an Afghanistan veteran, said the vandalism left the community devastated.
“I was shaking and almost brought to tears,” she told 7NEWS.
“It’s pure disrespect whether it was deliberate or accidental.”
The memorial’s centrepiece was damaged when someone climbed on it, causing a 150-kilogram stone to fall.
Norton said it represented “the empty tomb of the unknown soldier who never returned home”.
Police Minister Felix Ellis said the laws would send a strong message about protecting sacred sites.
Mayor Mick Tucker said the community was “absolutely gutted” by the damage.
The memorial was quickly restored through donations from local business Dobsons.
Ferguson said preliminary work on the legislation had begun and it would be introduced to Parliament as soon as possible.
The new laws will also strengthen protections against antisocial behaviour like drinking, loud music and skateboarding around memorial sites.
