Staggering Cost of Bronze Statue of Daniel Andrews In Melbourne
Victorians have been cautioned a questionable statue to honour previous state Premier Dan Andrews will cost taxpayers a fortune in repair bills from vandal attacks.
The state is set to bear the cost after plans for the bronze statue were verified last September, a year after Andrews suddenly stopped politics after 9 years as premier.
The procedure of installing the statue is already underway, with an insider revealing it will be placed at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, beside the state parliament structures.
No authorities costings have been launched, but Peter Corlett, the artist behind 4 previous statues of former premiers has approximated each cost usually $100,000.
But the project has been provided the green light by the Labor-run state federal government regardless of Victoria facing a debilitating budget crunch amid a ballooning financial obligation crisis.
Now senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell required the statue to be axed over its initial expense and worries of a cost blow out in the years ahead.
'Cost of living is through the roof and Victorians do not feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.
'But Labor want to push on with an obelisk to their previous dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?
Victorians have been alerted a statue of previous premier Dan Andrews (imagined with partner Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to consistent vandalism and increased security
An AI-created image of what the bronze statue of previous Premier Dan Andrews might appear like
The Andrews monolith will more than likely be positioned next to this statue of former Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place
'Dan Andrews' legacy, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is absolutely nothing to celebrate.
'He packed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is spending for the cost of his damage.
'The truth is the statue, ought to it go ahead, it'll be vandalised or even decapitated every other day and will spend more time being repaired than remaining in public.
'In a vicious twist I fear it'll keep costing taxpayers more money to repair and keep it secured.
'It's about time Labor checked out the tea leaves on this one and rid their former leader to the dust bin of history where he belongs.'
Prominent Melbourne magnate Rob Angel has likewise spoken out against the statue and alerted it might be the final stroke for him and other companies.
He said he is presently assessing whether to pull his multimillion dollar business EnviraGroup out of Victoria following Andrews' stint as premier.
'Our debilitating debt for generations will suffice a pointer of Andrews' premiership, we don't need a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell (imagined) called for the statue strategy to be binned
Dan Andrews gathered undeviating commitment and adoration from some and derision from others over his nine years in the role
The Andrews statue will be put near these two gentlemen
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'Andrews is accountable for the near-bankruptcy of Victoria and the state debt under his and Jacinta Allan's Labor government is truly stunning.
'Our net debt is growing by $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187 billion by 2027.
'Our interest payments surpass $1 million and our financial obligation could purchase 47 large city medical facilities so I do not think a cent must be invested on a statue.'
Andrews garnered steadfast commitment and affection from some, and derision from others over his nine years in the role.
But his life in Victoria post-retirement became a problem as he deals with stoushes and grandtribunal.org numerous fronts.
Multiple companies and owners consisting of Jim's Mowing manager Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina banned Andrews from their companies and services.
Penman formally informed Daily Mail Australia in December he had cancelled Andrews and 'believes all of Victoria' ought to blacklist the previous pollie too.
'If I was on the tools, I would not work for him, and I 'd encourage any franchisee or independent specialist to do the exact same,' Mr Penman said.
Jim's Mowing employer Jim Penman prohibited Andrews from his companies and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne venue Lamaro's Hotel, had prohibited Andrews from his location
'It should be embarrassing for him [getting backlisted] He was all powerful sitting on his throne at Spring St, wagging his fingers stating who can work and who can't - but individuals now have the power.'
Mr Penman also said he thought it was 'personally a great idea' for Andrews to stop Victoria after his exit from politics and his brand-new role as chair of youth psychological health trust, Orygen.
'I would hope he leave. He's running out of alternatives, I would advise he leave Victoria, the amount of damage he has actually done to this state is countless,' he said.
'It's likewise ludicrous this company of Andrews running this mental health organisation its like letting rapists run women shelters or paedophiles running child care centres.'
Daily Mail Australia also specifically exposed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his venue.
Mr Dimattina also said the previous premier was 'quickly the most hated individual' in the Victoria as it is exposed multiple dining establishment owners had actually declined service to Mr Andrews and his spouse Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my pub,' Mr Dimattina informed Daily Mail Australia.
'If he walked in and took a seat ... the would be revolted if they saw him ... Andrews is hated because of his entire anti-business position.
Andrews life in Victoria post-retirement developed into a problem as he faces stoushes and several fronts
Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL profession by organizing the restaurant and produce empire founded by his dad Frank, said Andrews also 'definitely maimed' the hospitality market.
'Business was annihilated, the CBD is a ghost town, once flourishing dining establishments are boarded up, its the same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty organizations everywhere,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a little service not a simple thing ... he 'd be much better off leaving the state, I make certain there's some people who still enjoy him, lefties which, but he's not welcome anywhere and we'll all be better off without seeing him here.'
Restaurateur Chris Lucas also exposed he informed Andrews' wife Cath 'not available' after she contacted to book a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall located at the once bustling Melbourne Chapel St precinct throughout the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from signing up with and there was also rumours special Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex leading.
Andrews was Victorian Premier for practically nine years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has actually handled a brand-new function at Orygen, a mental health organisation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in office are eternalized outdoors government offices near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a guideline presented by previous Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.
Andrews would sign up with thestatues of John Cain (1982-1990), Rupert Hamer (1972-1981), Henry Bolte (1955-1972) and Albert Dunstan (1935-1945) at 1 Treasury Place.