The Australian island state of Tasmania is sometimes omitted from maps of Australia. Such omissions often provoke outrage from Tasmanians.
In 1909, the Daily Post of Hobart reported that "very often maps of the Commonwealth... are not graced with the fair island of Tasmania depicted on them."[1]
During the 1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, performers created a map of Australia that omitted Tasmania.[2] English-born Australian poet Andrew Sant wrote "Off the Map" in response:
Identity deleted,
Close to the Continent
Who wouldn't make a fuss?
There have been wars for less...[3]
The Australian swim team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games were issued training swimsuits with a stylised design featuring maps of Australia, along with kangaroos and emus. The animals obscured Tasmania, and the design was criticized for leaving Tasmania off the map. Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman called the omission "un-Australian and unforgivable".[2]
In October 2022, publicist Hamish Thompson held an exhibition called State of Invisibility highlighting the absence of Tasmania from national maps, souvenirs and federal memorabilia. This seemed to strike a chord, and was covered by local and national press throughout Australia.[12][13][14]