Staggering Cost of Bronze Statue of Daniel Andrews In Melbourne
Victorians have been warned a questionable 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 prepare for the bronze statue were verified last September, a year after Andrews unexpectedly quit politics after nine years as premier.
The process of installing the statue is already underway, with an insider exposing it will be placed at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, next to the state parliament buildings.
No official costings have actually been launched, however Peter Corlett, the artist behind 4 previous statues of former premiers has estimated each expense typically $100,000.
But the project has actually been okayed by the Labor-run state federal government in spite of Victoria facing a debilitating budget plan crunch amid a ballooning debt crisis.
Now senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell called for the statue to be axed over its initial expenditure and worries of an expense 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 wish to push on with an obelisk to their former dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?
Victorians have actually been alerted a statue of previous premier Dan Andrews (imagined with partner 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 previous Premier Dan Andrews might appear like
The Andrews monument will most likely be positioned 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 spending for the cost of his destruction.
'The fact is the statue, should it go on, it'll be vandalised or even decapitated every other day and will spend 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 safeguarded.
'It has to do with 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 actually also spoken up against the statue and cautioned it could be the final stroke for him and other companies.
He said he is currently 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 require a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell (pictured) called for the statue strategy to be binned
Dan Andrews gathered unwavering loyalty and affection from some and derision from others over his nine years in the function
The Andrews statue will be put 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 genuinely 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 payments surpass $1 million and our financial obligation might purchase 47 large urban medical facilities so I don't believe a cent should be invested on 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 headache as he deals with stoushes and numerous fronts.
Multiple business and owners consisting of Jim's Mowing manager Jim Penman and supremo Paul Dimattina prohibited Andrews from their organizations and services.
Penman officially told Daily Mail Australia in December he had cancelled Andrews and 'thinks all of Victoria' should blacklist the former pollie too.
'If I was on the tools, I wouldn't work for him, and I 'd motivate any franchisee or independent professional to do the same,' Mr Penman said.
Jim's Mowing employer Jim Penman banned Andrews from his companies and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his location
'It should be embarrassing for him [getting backlisted] He was all effective resting 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 likewise said he thought it was 'personally a great idea' for Andrews to give up 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 choices, I would advise he leave Victoria, the amount of damage he has done to this state is immeasurable,' he said.
'It's likewise ridiculous this service of Andrews running this psychological health organisation its like letting rapists run ladies shelters or paedophiles running childcare centres.'
Daily Mail Australia likewise specifically exposed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne place Lamaro's Hotel, had prohibited Andrews from his location.
Mr Dimattina likewise said the former premier was 'quickly the most disliked person' in the Victoria as it is exposed numerous restaurant owners had refused service to Mr Andrews and his spouse Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my club,' Mr Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.
'If he walked in and sat down ... the Lamaro's crowd would be disgusted if they saw him ... Andrews is hated 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 career by taking charge of the restaurant and produce empire established by his dad Frank, said Andrews also 'absolutely maimed' the hospitality market.
'Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once flourishing restaurants are boarded up, disgaeawiki.info its the exact same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty businesses everywhere,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a small company not an easy 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 likewise revealed he informed Andrews' wife Cath 'not available' after she contacted to schedule a table at his Windsor restaurant Hawker Hall situated at the when dynamic Melbourne Chapel St precinct during the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from joining and there was likewise rumours special Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex leading.
Andrews was Victorian Premier for almost 9 years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has actually handled a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in office are immortalised outdoors government workplaces near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a rule presented by previous 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.