Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has halted controversial plans for a taxpayer-funded statue of former premier Daniel Andrews, citing fiscal responsibility. An independent panel will review how the state commemorates officials, with the commissioned statue to be repurposed.
The decision reflects a shift in government spending priorities and a response to public criticism regarding the use of taxpayer funds for political commemoration, highlighting a focus on fiscal conservatism.
Controversial plans for a taxpayer-funded statue of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews have been officially scrapped by the current government. Premier Ben Carroll announced on Saturday that work on the statue, intended to commemorate Andrews' over 3,000 days in office, would cease.
Carroll stated that while he respects the service of former premiers, gratitude does not necessitate a statue funded by taxpayers. He emphasized fiscal responsibility and careful government spending. The policy, introduced in 1999 by then-Premier Jeff Kennett, automatically recognized long-serving Victorian premiers with a statue on Treasury Place. Kennett himself did not reach the milestone.
The Liberal opposition, led by Jess Wilson, had heavily criticized the $134,000 cost of the planned statue, with Wilson vowing to block its progression if her party came to government. She described the project as 'Labor's waste'.
Instead of cancelling the contract, an independent and bipartisan panel will be appointed to review how Victoria commemorates officials with statues and state services. This panel will select an alternative subject and location for the commissioned work.