The Australian government rode to the defence of one of the country's most notorious criminals today, blocking the sale to an overseas buyer of a piece of armour worn by outlaw hero Ned Kelly.
Arts Minister Mr Peter McGauran exercised rarely used powers to ensure that all of Kelly's home-made armour remained in Australia by refusing an export permit for a shoulder piece.
Kelly, who tried to rally disaffected Irish peasants to create an independent republic in the southern state of Victoria, was captured in 1880 after two years on the run. He was hanged, aged 26, for numerous murders.
The son of Irish immigrants, Kelly stole from the rich and remains Australia's greatest folk hero.
McGauran said the shoulder piece was too important to Australia's cultural heritage to go overseas.
"The image of Ned Kelly in armour is instantly recognised by most Australians and intrinsically linked to aspects of our Australian identity and our attitude to democracy," McGauran said in a statement.
The shoulder plate, expected to raise Aus$200,000 was taken as a souvenir by the officer who wounded Kelly in the arm during his last stand in Glenrowan, north of Melbourne.