Fresh-faced premier scraps divisive Dan Andrews statue

Victoria's new premier, Ben Carroll, has cancelled a taxpayer-funded statue of former Premier Daniel Andrews, deeming the project incompatible with community expectations. The bronze statue, to be funded at a cost of $134,000, was intended to commemorate Andrews' tenure, which spanned over 3000 days. In a statement, Carroll expressed his commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating that the government should exercise careful judgement in spending public funds.

He emphasized that showing respect for a former premier's service does not necessitate a taxpayer-funded monument. Polls indicated that the majority of Victorians (74%) were against the project, with only 19% supporting it. Andrews, who stepped down in September 2024 and was succeeded by his deputy Jacinta Allan, was both revered and criticized during his nine-year tenure.

He led Victoria through a prolonged lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and was under investigation for alleged corruption involving the firefighters' union. The Carroll administration is now reviewing the state's approach to honoring notable Victorians, including funerals and memorial services, through an independent panel that will propose guidelines for their scale and cost.