A tree Tony Abbott planted at a memorial garden dedicated to former prime ministers has been vandalised for the second time.
Oak trees have been planted to commemorate our leaders at The Corridor of Oaks in Blue Mountains’ Faulconbridge since 1935.
Prime ministers, or their nearest surviving relative, plant the trees themselves at the heritage-listed site.
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Abbott shovelled dirt to plant his own oak at his ceremony just two weeks ago, but it was sawed off a few days later.
It’s now been vandalised for a second time, The Blue Mountains City Council confirmed.
Mayor Mark Greenhill told 2GB’s Ben Fordham this morning another tree has been ordered to replace it and the council will move to heighten security in the area.
“We’ve reported it to police, we’ll put the tree back in,” he said.
“Clearly someone’s targeting Mr Abbott so we’ll put some CCTV on it. We shouldn’t have to but we can’t afford to let this keep happening.”
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Greenhill said he was outraged at the vandalism, adding the trees are not political.
“This is beyond politics,” he said.
“This park was put there and bequeathed to the community since 1935 … Every PM since federation or their nearest relative planted their tree.
“This is about Australia and our constitutional arrangements.
“It’s not political. (Abbott) was thoroughly gracious. This is a real pity and, actually, it makes me very angry.”
Abbott at the time said he had been honoured to take part in the tradition.
“I was grateful for the chance to plant a tree in the Corridor of Oaks yesterday, honouring the memory and legacy of Henry Parkes, the father of Federation, and recognising the contributions of the Prime Ministers who have served our country,” he said in a statement on August 6.
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What is the Corridor of the Oaks?
The Corridor of Oaks is a significant and unique memorial site.
The area is associated with Sir Henry Parkes, the longest non-consecutive premier of New South Wales who helped establish the federation of the colonies.
Park creator Joe Jackson came up with the idea for having each prime minister plant an oak tree in avenue near Parkes’ former home, according to Monument Australia.
Australia’s first prime minister Edmund Barton is represented in the park, along with his successors including Malcolm Fraser, Gough Whitlam, John Howard and Kevin Rudd.
The ageing oak trees all stand at different stages of life, representing the time they were planted.
The memorial park recently underwent a $2 million upgrade, that included the removal of trees impacting the oaks, extensive plantings and an accessible boardwalk.
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