Transport minister ignored public vote and named boat Ferry McFerryFace

After the British public voted for a £200m ship to be called "BoatyMcBoatFace" instead of something more sensible, the trend swept the globe.

However, this was not the case in Australia, where a transport minister ignored a $100,000 (£57,510) public vote in which the name FerryMcFerryFace only won 182 votes.

An FOI by broadcaster 9News revealed the true winner was the name of Clean Up Australia founder, Ian Kiernan, with 2025 eligible votes.

New South Wales Transport Minister Andrew Constance quietly hand-picked the name FerryMcFerryFace after the public rejected it.

The NSW government had previously led the public to believe the choice was popular, saying: "Given Boaty was already taken by another vessel, we’ve gone with the next most popular name nominated by Sydneysiders."

After reports came out, the minister said the name was always going to be temporary. 

"We always said we would just run it over summer, have a look at how it goes," he told Channel Nine.

"It’s had a bit of international recognition, bit of lighthearted fun, lots of kids taking selfies.

"We followed the panel recommendations for the first five but, for the last one, we thought, ‘Let’s do something a bit different’."

He then said that the ferry is officially named Emerald 6 for maritime purposes and branded Ferry McFerryface.

Later in the day, he announced the boat would be re-named after author May Gibbs.

Other names on the shortlist were author May Gibbs, Sydney Opera House architect Jorn Utzon, former Governor Dame Marie Bashir and artist Ken Done.

He said: "We always intended this vessel would be named for the kids. After a summer on the harbour, Ferry McFerryface will now be renamed after prominent Australian author May Gibbs.

"This will retain the vessel’s appeal to our youngest customers while also recognising an Australian icon with a long connection to Sydney."