The Victorian government plans to spend some of its taxpayers’ money on immortalizing controversial former Prime Minister Daniel Andrews in a bronze statue.
Plans to make Andrews the fifth prime minister to have a permanent statue in Melbourne were unveiled on Thursday on the anniversary of his resignation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who have served more than 3,000 days in office will be immortalized outside government buildings near Treasury Gardens in central Melbourne, under a rule introduced by former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett.
Effigies of four long-time leaders already stand outside Melbourne’s state government office.
Mr Andrews would join John Cain (1982-1990), Rupert Hamer (1972-1981), Henry Bolte (1955-1972) and Albert Dunstan (1935-1945) in having his likeness reproduced at 1 Treasury Place.
The process of installing one of Mr Andrews is underway, but it is unclear how much it will cost or its possible location.
A government spokesperson confirmed that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet had written to the government about the statue, but released no further information.
The artist behind the previous four images, Peter Corlett, estimates the average cost of the pieces at around $100,000.
However, opposition spokesperson Jess Wilson hit back at the decision to immortalize Mr Andrews in a statue.
Andrews’ face has been placed on top of a statue of his Labor predecessor John Cain. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the image will look like the one above.
Victorian Premiers are entitled to be commemorated in bronze once they complete 3,000 days in office – a milestone Andrews has reached
“As Victoria reels from a cost-of-living crisis, a failing healthcare system and rising crime, Premier Allan’s priority is erecting a statue of Daniel Andrews rather than providing relief to Victorian taxpayers,” she said .
A divisive leader, he earned unwavering loyalty and admiration from some and ridicule from others during his nine years in the role.
He won three consecutive state elections and rose to national prominence when he oversaw one of the world’s longest lockdowns in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the end of his term, Mr Andrews canceled the 2026 Commonwealth Games, due to be held in regional Victoria, claiming projected costs had almost doubled to at least $6 billion.
A petition to current Prime Minister Jacinta Allan to cancel plans for the statue has already been signed by more than 300 people in less than a day.
“The proposal to honor Daniel Andrews with a statue is a deeply troubling decision,” the petition said.
Mr Andrews’ statue will be commemorated along with others of John Cain Jr, Rupert Hamer, Henry Bolte (left) and Albert Dunstan (right) along Treasury Place and is expected to cost around $100,000
“As a former Premier of Victoria, Andrews left a legacy marred by scandals, authoritarian policies, a broken public health system and human rights abuses.
‘Andrews’ leadership saw some of the most restrictive lockdowns in the world, leading to widespread economic and social devastation.’