Victoria scraps $134,000 Daniel Andrews statue amid policy review
Consensus Summary
Victoria’s new premier Ben Carroll scrapped plans for a $134,000 taxpayer-funded statue of former premier Daniel Andrews, citing community opposition and a review of how the state honors leaders. The statue was part of a 1999 policy introduced by Jeff Kennett, which automatically commissioned monuments for premiers serving over 3,000 days. Carroll announced an independent panel to reassess state commemorations, including statues and funerals, while the existing contract for Andrews’ statue will be repurposed for another subject. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson had previously pledged to block the statue if her party won the November state election. Polling showed strong public disapproval, with 68% opposing the monument. The Kennett-era policy already recognized four former premiers with statues in Melbourne’s Treasury Place, but Andrews’ case sparked debate over taxpayer spending and historical recognition.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A $134,000 taxpayer-funded statue of Daniel Andrews was scrapped by Victoria’s new premier Ben Carroll.
- The statue was to honor Andrews for serving more than 3,000 days as premier.
- The policy of automatically commissioning statues for premiers serving over 3,000 days was introduced by Jeff Kennett in 1999.
- Daniel Andrews served as premier from 4 December 2014 to 27 September 2023.
- Ben Carroll announced a review of how Victoria honors former leaders with statues and state services.
- The existing statue contract for Andrews will not be canceled; instead, the panel will select an alternative subject and location.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson previously committed to scrapping the statue if the Coalition wins the November state election.
- The Kennett government policy recognized premiers who served more than 3,000 days with a statue on Treasury Place.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Polling showed 68% opposed the statue, while 15% supported it, with 74% against taxpayer funding.
- Andrews resigned in September 2024 and was replaced by Jacinta Allan.
- Andrews served nine years as premier.
- The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission’s Operation Richmond report found 'serious and concerning conduct' by Andrews and senior officials.
- Work on the statue began in May.
- The statue contract will not be canceled, but the panel will select an alternative subject and location for the commissioned work.
- The Kennett government policy was introduced ahead of the 1999 state election.
- The statue project has been a source of political debate since Andrews passed the 3,000-day milestone three years ago.
- Bronze statues of four former premiers (Sir Albert Dunstan, Sir Henry Bolte, Sir Rupert Hamer, and John Cain Jr.) were erected in the late 1990s in Melbourne's Treasury Place.
- Sir James McCulloch served over 3,000 days in the 1860s and 1870s but lacks a statue.
- Jeff Kennett and Nick Reece previously called for a statue of Joan Kirner, Victoria’s first female premier (1990–1992).
- Andrews stated in 2023 that he did not seek a permanent bronze likeness in Treasury Gardens.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and ABC mention work on the statue began in May, but 7NEWS does not specify a start date.
- 7NEWS states Andrews resigned in September 2024, but the Guardian and ABC do not mention this specific resignation date.
Source Articles
Daniel Andrews’ $134,000 taxpayer-funded statue scrapped by Victoria’s new premier Ben Carrol
‘We are grateful to former premiers for their service. But gratitude does not require a taxpayer-funded statue.’
Controversial plans for a Daniel Andrews sculpture officially scrapped by Victorian government
The $134,000 cost of the statue of the former Victorian premier has been heavily criticised by the Liberal opposition Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Carroll government in Victoria has cancelled controversial plans for a statue of former Labor premier Daniel Andrews. Work began in May on the statue commemorating the former premier’s more than 3,000 days in office, as part of a 1999 policy recognising long-serving Victorian premiers. Continue reading...
Planned statue of ex-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews scrapped
Victorian premier Ben Carroll has cancelled plans to immortalise his predecessor Dan Andrews in statue form outside Melbourne's Treasury Place.
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