Staggering Cost of Bronze Statue of Daniel Andrews In Melbourne
Victorians have been alerted a controversial statue to honour former state Premier Dan Andrews will cost taxpayers a fortune in repair expenses from vandal attacks.
The state is set to bear the expense after plans for the bronze statue were validated last September, a year after Andrews suddenly stopped politics after 9 years as premier.
The process of setting up the statue is currently underway, with an expert exposing it will be placed at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, next to the state parliament buildings.
No authorities costings have been released, however Peter Corlett, the artist behind 4 previous statues of former premiers has actually estimated each cost on typical $100,000.
But the job has been provided the green light by the Labor-run state federal government despite Victoria facing a debilitating budget crunch in the middle of a ballooning debt crisis.
Now senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell called for the statue to be axed over its preliminary expenditure and fears of an expense blow out in the years ahead.
'Cost of living is through the roofing and Victorians do not feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.
'But Labor desire to press on with an obelisk to their previous dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?
Victorians have been warned a statue of previous premier Dan Andrews (pictured with other half Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to constant vandalism and increased security
An AI-created image of what the bronze statue of former Premier Dan Andrews might look like
The Andrews monument will probably be placed beside this statue of former Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place
'Dan Andrews' legacy, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is nothing to celebrate.
'He stuffed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is paying for the cost of his damage.
'The reality is the statue, higgledy-piggledy.xyz should it go on, it'll be vandalised and even beheaded every other day and will invest more time being repaired than remaining in public.
'In a harsh twist I fear it'll keep costing taxpayers more money to repair and keep it protected.
'It has to do with time Labor read the tea leaves on this one and rid their previous leader to the dust bin of history where he belongs.'
Prominent Melbourne company leader Rob Angel has actually likewise spoken out against the statue and warned it might be the final stroke for him and other business.
He said he is currently evaluating whether to pull his multimillion dollar business EnviraGroup out of Victoria following Andrews' stint as premier.
'Our debilitating financial obligation for generations will be sufficient a reminder of Andrews' premiership, we don't require a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell (imagined) called for the statue plan to be binned
Dan Andrews amassed steady commitment and adoration from some and derision from others over his 9 years in the role
The Andrews statue will be positioned near these 2 gentlemen
Should Dan Andrews be honoured with a statue?
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'Andrews is accountable for the near-bankruptcy of Victoria and the state financial obligation under his and Jacinta Allan's Labor federal government is truly shocking.
'Our net financial obligation is growing by $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187 billion by 2027.
'Our interest repayments exceed $1 million and our debt could purchase 47 big city hospitals so I don't believe a cent should be invested in a statue.'
Andrews gathered steady loyalty and appreciation from some, and derision from others over his 9 years in the function.
But his life in Victoria post-retirement turned into a problem as he deals with stoushes and numerous fronts.
Multiple companies and owners including Jim's Mowing employer Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina prohibited Andrews from their businesses and services.
Penman officially told Daily Mail Australia in December he had actually cancelled Andrews and 'believes all of Victoria' needs to blacklist the previous pollie too.
'If I was on the tools, I wouldn't work for him, and I 'd encourage any franchisee or independent professional to do the same,' Mr Penman said.
Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman banned Andrews from his businesses and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had prohibited Andrews from his location
'It should be embarrassing for him [getting backlisted] He was all effective sitting on his throne at Spring St, wagging his fingers stating who can work and who can't - but people now have the power.'
Mr Penman likewise said he thought it was 'personally a good concept' for Andrews to quit 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 options, I would suggest he leave Victoria, the quantity of damage he has actually done to this state is countless,' he said.
'It's likewise ludicrous this organization of Andrews running this psychological health organisation its like letting rapists run women shelters or paedophiles running child care centres.'
Daily Mail Australia also exclusively exposed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne place Lamaro's Hotel, had actually banned Andrews from his location.
Mr Dimattina likewise said the former premier was 'quickly the most hated individual' in the Victoria as it is revealed numerous dining establishment owners had declined service to Mr Andrews and his other half Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my club,' Mr Dimattina informed Daily Mail Australia.
'If he walked in and sat down ... the Lamaro's crowd would be disgusted if they saw him ... Andrews is hated because of his whole 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 career by taking charge of the dining establishment and produce empire established by his father Frank, said Andrews likewise 'definitely maimed' the hospitality market.
was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, as soon as prospering dining establishments are boarded up, its the very same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty companies everywhere,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a small company not a simple thing ... he 'd be much better off leaving the state, I make certain there's some individuals who still enjoy him, lefties which, but he's not welcome anywhere and we'll all be much better off without seeing him here.'
Restaurateur Chris Lucas also exposed he told Andrews' better half Cath 'not available' after she contacted to reserve a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall located at the when bustling Melbourne Chapel St precinct throughout the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula prohibited Andrews from signing up with and there was likewise rumours exclusive 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 workplace are eternalized outside government workplaces near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a rule introduced 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.