Arabic version: حكومة تسمانيا تصدر اعتذارًا عن عرض أجزاء بشرية في المتحف
The Tasmanian government has formally apologised for the display of human specimens taken from autopsies without family consent. Health Minister Bridget Archer delivered the apology in parliament, acknowledging the distress caused to affected families. This practice occurred at the RA Rodda Museum of Pathology in Hobart from 1966 until 1991, with formal cessation in 1997.
According to ABC News, a coroner’s investigation revealed that 177 specimens were retained, with about 100 identified. During her speech, Archer described the actions as “appalling” and emphasised the breach of trust involved. She expressed her condolences for the ongoing pain experienced by families affected by these historical practices.
Family members present during the apology are now calling for further investigations to determine who was aware of the unethical practices and how they persisted for more than 25 years. The issue was first brought to public attention in April 2024, following a statement from the Coroner’s Office, which began an investigation into the matter.
The museum had contacted the Coroner’s Office in 2016 regarding the retention of human specimens, leading to a list published in January 2025 that identified 126 individuals whose body parts may have been retained. This marked the first awareness for many families that their loved ones’ remains had been taken without consent. The investigation revealed that proper protocols for obtaining consent and returning remains were not followed during the retention of these specimens.
