The name had been chosen for one of Sydney’s six new ferries to much ridicule last year, but a Freedom of Information request filed by 9 News has found it wasn’t even in the top six, only receiving 182 votes of the total 15,000 votes.
The information also revealed the competition cost $100,000 – a considerable waste of taxpayer money.
Mr Constance said the most popular choice was Boaty McBoatface – the infamous name the UK voted to call a new research ship in 2016 – but they wanted to avoid a double-up and Ferry McFerryface was the next most voted-for name.
The name was chosen over Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan who received 2,025 votes.
The Minister has now announced the ferry will be renamed after one of the other nominees, Australian children’s book illustrator and author May Gibbs, but NSW Opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay has called for him to stand down.
A public competition to name a boat: $100,000.
Losing your job over a stupid name: priceless.
