These proposed redundancies cut to the very heart of Tasmania’s unique State collections. Revered institutions such as TMAG, including the Herbarium, are repositories of our environmental and cultural history. They hold the story of where we’ve come from, what’s shaped us, and where we are today.

Our natural collections are not objects sitting in dusty drawers. They are reference libraries and type specimens, with documentation and curation that must keep pace with changing times. New species are being added all the time especially during TMAG discovery expeditions, demonstrating there is so much more to learn about Tasmania’s natural environment. Maintaining and interpreting these collections requires highly skilled, academically trained professionals — real people with experience and dedication.

Tasmania’s flora census is compiled and maintained by the Herbarium, unravelling the taxonomy of plant species as they evolve, new variants emerge, and Tasmania undergoes such rapid ecological change. The Herbarium’s work contributes to the Millennium Seed Bank and is foundational to Tasmania’s plant conservation programs. The same applies to the zoological collections telling the story of colonisation and all new taxa identified since. Their staff including the vertebrate curator and palaeontologist Dr David Hocking and Dr Gintaras Kantvilas, one of the nation’s leading lichenologists, forge links not only across Tasmania but nationally and globally, building a network of collaborative research and professional interchange.

TMAG, established by the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1846 for the public good, has a proud history of renowned scientists, who have maintained these botanical and zoological repositories with excellence and commitment for generations.

Instead of building their capacity, instead of showcasing Tasmania’s scientific excellence, these government cutbacks erode their function, devalue their contribution and send a message that a short-lived budget gain is more important than our state’s heritage.

Only a few months ago, ABC TV featured eight episodes nationally of Tonight at the Museum, showcasing these very collections, a production made possible by thousands of dollars in State Government funding. How ironic is that! The segment with David Hocking featured a thylacine pup in a glass jar, a harrowing sight. Where do you go for information and access to specimens on what has become the world’s most infamous creature encapsulating the story of extinction. Similarly, the segment with Gintaras demonstrating that while lichens may be outta sight and outta mind, they are a fascinating and significant component of our flora diversity.

There is no ‘extravagance’ in these roles or institutions. They already depend heavily on volunteers and ‘Friends of’ groups to help keep them buoyant. Volunteers contribute invaluable time and expertise in ensuring TMAG continues to be a state institution of global importance. When you cut staff to save money, you lose more than people and the services they offer. You lose access and the heart and soul of an organisation — something that goes far beyond a budget line.

These collections and the people who maintain them are Tasmania’s rarest gem. And rarity matters: we pride and promote ourselves on it.

Because when you simply cut a position or close a role. You’ve eroded something that will never be replaced. And this is what these proposed cutbacks will do!