GitLab

Victorians have been warned a questionable statue to honour former state Premier Dan Andrews will cost taxpayers a fortune in repair costs from vandal attacks.

The state is set to pay the bill after strategies for the bronze statue were confirmed last September, a year after Andrews all of a sudden stopped politics after nine years as premier.

The procedure of setting up the statue is already underway, with an expert revealing it will be placed at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, beside the state parliament structures.

No official costings have been released, but Peter Corlett, the artist behind 4 previous statues of previous premiers has actually approximated each cost typically $100,000.

But the task has been offered the green light by the Labor-run state government in spite of Victoria dealing with a crippling budget plan crunch amid a ballooning financial obligation crisis.

Now senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell required the statue to be axed over its initial expenditure and worries of a cost blow out in the years ahead.

'Cost of living is through the roofing system and Victorians do not feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.

'But Labor desire to push on with an obelisk to their previous dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?

Victorians have been warned a statue of former premier Dan Andrews (imagined with wife Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to continuous vandalism and increased security

An AI-created picture of what the bronze statue of previous Premier Dan Andrews could appear like

The Andrews monolith will probably be placed beside this statue of former Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place

'Dan Andrews' tradition, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is absolutely nothing to commemorate.

'He stuffed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is spending for the cost of his damage.

'The truth is the statue, needs 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 cash to repair and keep it safeguarded.

'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 warned 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 crippling financial obligation for generations will be enough a pointer of Andrews' premiership, we do not need a statue,' Mr Angel said.

Senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell (envisioned) called for the statue plan to be binned

Dan Andrews garnered steady commitment and adoration from some and derision from others over his 9 years in the function

The Andrews statue will be put near these 2 gentlemen

Should Dan Andrews be honoured with a statue?

Comment now

'Andrews is accountable for the near-bankruptcy of Victoria and the state debt under his and Jacinta Allan's Labor federal government is really stunning.

'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 surpass $1 million and our debt might purchase 47 big urban healthcare facilities so I don't think a cent needs to be invested in a statue.'

Andrews amassed steadfast commitment and adoration from some, and derision from others over his nine years in the role.

But his life in Victoria post-retirement turned into a nightmare as he deals with stoushes and numerous fronts.

Multiple companies and owners consisting of Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina banned Andrews from their organizations and services.

Penman officially informed Daily Mail Australia in December he had actually cancelled Andrews and 'believes all of Victoria' should blacklist the former pollie too.

'If I was on the tools, I would not work for him, and fakenews.win I 'd encourage any franchisee or independent contractor to do the same,' Mr Penman said.

Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman banned Andrews from his organizations and services

Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had prohibited Andrews from his place

'It must be humiliating for him [getting backlisted] He was all powerful resting on his throne at Spring St, wagging his fingers stating who can work and championsleage.review who can't - but people now have the power.'

Mr Penman also said he thought it was 'personally a great concept' for Andrews to quit Victoria after his exit from politics and his new function as chair of youth mental health trust, Orygen.

'I would hope he leave. He's lacking options, I would advise he leave Victoria, the amount of damage he has done to this state is immeasurable,' he said.

'It's also ludicrous this company of Andrews running this mental health organisation its like letting rapists run females shelters or paedophiles running childcare centres.'

Daily Mail Australia also solely revealed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne place Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his place.

Mr Dimattina also said the previous premier was 'quickly the most disliked individual' in the Victoria as it is revealed multiple restaurant owners had actually refused service to Mr Andrews and his wife Cath.

'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my pub,' Mr Dimattina informed Daily Mail Australia.

'If he walked in and sat down ... the Lamaro's crowd would be revolted if they saw him ... Andrews is disliked due to the fact that of his entire anti-business stance.

Andrews life in Victoria post-retirement turned into a headache as he faces stoushes and a number of fronts

Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL profession by taking charge of the dining establishment and produce empire founded by his dad Frank, said Andrews likewise 'absolutely maimed' the hospitality market.

'Business was annihilated, the CBD is a ghost town, when prospering restaurants are boarded up, its the 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 people 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 likewise revealed he told Andrews' partner Cath 'not available' after she phoned to book a table at his 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 unique Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex leading.

Andrews was Victorian Premier for practically 9 years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has actually taken on a brand-new role at Orygen, a psychological health organisation.

Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in office are immortalised outdoors government offices near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a rule presented by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.

Andrews would join thestatues of John Cain (1982-1990), Rupert Hamer (1972-1981), Henry Bolte (1955-1972) and Albert Dunstan (1935-1945) at 1 Treasury Place.