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Fresh-Faced Premier Scraps Divisive Dan Andrews Statue
Ben Carroll said the policy no longer meets taxpayer expectations and ordered an independent panel to choose a replacement statue subject.
- On Saturday, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced the repeal of the automatic statue policy, halting the $134,000 project for Daniel Andrews, who served 3219 days as premier. Carroll argued the practice "is no longer consistent with community expectations about how governments should spend money."
- Introduced by former premier Jeff Kennett in 1999, the guideline previously entitled any leader serving more than 3,000 days to a bronze statue. Four former premiers currently hold such tributes near Treasury Place in Melbourne.
- Carroll confirmed the existing contract for the Andrews likeness will not be cancelled, "avoiding unnecessary costs to taxpayers." Instead, an independent panel will recommend an alternative subject for the already-commissioned bronze work.
- The new bipartisan panel will also review the frequency, scale, and costs of state funerals. Carroll noted that "state funerals are special and moving tributes," emphasizing their rarity enhances their meaning.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson had previously pledged to scrap the Andrews project if the Coalition won government. This policy shift reflects broader efforts to ensure government spending remains careful and deliberate under the new administration.
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16 Articles
16 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution39% Left, 38% Right
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left, 38% of the sources lean Right
39% Left
L 39%
C 23%
R 38%
Factuality
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