Staggering Cost of Bronze Statue of Daniel Andrews In Melbourne
Victorians have actually been cautioned a questionable statue to honour previous state Premier Dan Andrews will cost taxpayers a fortune in repair costs from vandal attacks.
The state is set to pay the bill after prepare for the bronze statue were confirmed last September, a year after Andrews all of a sudden quit politics after nine years as premier.
The process of setting up the statue is already underway, with an insider exposing it will be put at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, next to the state parliament structures.
No authorities costings have been launched, but Peter Corlett, the artist behind 4 previous statues of previous premiers has actually estimated each cost usually $100,000.
But the task has actually been okayed by the Labor-run state federal government regardless of Victoria facing a debilitating spending plan crunch amid a ballooning debt crisis.
Now senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell required 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 don't feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.
'But Labor wish 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 (pictured with partner Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to constant vandalism and increased security
An AI-created picture of what the bronze statue of former Premier Dan Andrews might look like
The Andrews monolith will more than likely be placed next to this statue of previous Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place
'Dan Andrews' tradition, 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 price of his destruction.
'The truth is the statue, should it go ahead, it'll be vandalised and even every other day and will spend more time being repaired than remaining in public.
'In a terrible 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 previous leader to the dust bin of history where he belongs.'
Prominent Melbourne magnate Rob Angel has also spoken up against the statue and alerted it might be the final stroke for him and other companies.
He said he is presently examining whether to pull his multimillion dollar company EnviraGroup out of Victoria following Andrews' stint as premier.
'Our crippling debt for generations will suffice a pointer of Andrews' premiership, we don't require a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell (pictured) called for the statue plan to be binned
Dan Andrews garnered steadfast loyalty and appreciation from some and derision from others over his 9 years in the function
The Andrews statue will be placed near these 2 gentlemen
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'Andrews is responsible for the near-bankruptcy of Victoria and the state financial obligation under his and Jacinta Allan's Labor government is genuinely shocking.
'Our net debt is growing by $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187 billion by 2027.
'Our interest payments exceed $1 million and our debt might buy 47 big cosmopolitan hospitals so I don't believe a cent must be invested in a statue.'
Andrews gathered steady commitment and affection from some, and derision from others over his 9 years in the function.
But his life in Victoria post-retirement turned into a headache as he deals with stoushes and several fronts.
Multiple companies and owners consisting of Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina banned Andrews from their companies and services.
Penman officially told Daily Mail Australia in December he had cancelled Andrews and 'thinks 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 contractor to do the exact same,' Mr Penman said.
Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman prohibited Andrews from his organizations and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had actually prohibited Andrews from his place
'It needs to be humiliating for him [getting backlisted] He was all effective sitting on his throne at Spring St, wagging his fingers saying who can work and who can't - but people now have the power.'
Mr Penman likewise said he thought it was 'personally an excellent concept' for Andrews to give up Victoria after his exit from politics and his brand-new function as chair of youth mental health trust, Orygen.
'I would hope he leave. He's lacking choices, I would suggest he leave Victoria, the amount of damage he has actually done to this state is countless,' he said.
'It's also ludicrous this organization of Andrews running this psychological health organisation its like letting rapists run ladies shelters or tandme.co.uk paedophiles running childcare centres.'
Daily Mail Australia likewise exclusively revealed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had actually banned Andrews from his place.
Mr Dimattina likewise said the previous premier was 'quickly the most disliked individual' in the Victoria as it is exposed numerous dining establishment owners had actually refused service to Mr Andrews and his better half Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my bar,' Mr Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.
'If he strolled in and took a seat ... the Lamaro's crowd would be revolted if they saw him ... Andrews is hated since of his entire anti-business position.
Andrews life in Victoria post-retirement developed into a nightmare as he deals with stoushes and numerous fronts
Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL career by organizing the restaurant and produce empire established by his dad Frank, said Andrews likewise 'definitely maimed' the hospitality market.
'Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once thriving restaurants are boarded up, its the very same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty businesses all over,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a small organization not an easy thing ... he 'd be better off leaving the state, I make certain there's some people who still love 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 informed Andrews' partner Cath 'not available' after she phoned to reserve a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall located at the once bustling Melbourne Chapel St precinct during the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from signing up with and there was also rumours exclusive Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex premier.
Andrews was Victorian Premier for almost 9 years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has handled a new function at Orygen, a psychological health organisation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in workplace are immortalised outdoors federal government offices near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a rule presented by former 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.