Australia Day attack: Prime minister statues decapitated in Ballarat James Cook paint bombed before January 26
As Australia Day nears, police in separate states are investigating attacks on statues of former prime ministers, with two decapitated and one of James Cook coated in blood-coloured paint.
Prime Ministers Avenue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens is home to 20 bronze busts of former prime ministers and has reportedly been severely vandalised in an early morning attack on Thursday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The busts of former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd are both understood to have been decapitated, with reports suggesting their bronze heads were stolen after the incident.
The remains of the busts have been seen covered with tarpaulins as police investigate.
Victoria Police has been approached for comment.
In another incident on Friday, this time in the inner east suburb of Randwick, police are investigating vandalism of a statue of James Cook.
The statue, which is on Belmore Road, was coated in red paint when police arrived on Friday morning following reports of damage.
Multiple items were located at the scene, with police seizing the unknown items as part of their investigation.
“A crime scene has been established, which will be forensically examined by specialist police,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
