Carroll scraps plan for statue of Daniel Andrews

Planned statue of ex-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews scrapped Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, has ordered the cancellation of a planned $134,000 bronze statue of his predecessor, Daniel Andrews, following a review of how the state commemorates past leaders. The decision comes after Carroll appointed an independent, bipartisan panel to reassess the criteria for erecting statues of former premiers and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such memorials. The panel will also consider alternatives for the existing commissioned artwork, ensuring no financial burden falls on taxpayers. The initiative to create statues of long-serving premiers began under Jeff Kennett during his tenure as premier in the late 1990s. At that time, the policy was established to recognize individuals who had spent more than 3,000 days in office, a threshold equivalent to nearly eight years of continuous service. This led to the installation of four statues in Treasury Place, Melbourne, honoring Albert Dunstan, Henry Bolte, Rupert Hamer, and John Cain Jr. Each of these figures met the 3,000-day requirement and was immortalized in bronze. Daniel Andrews, who served as premier from 2014 to 2023, reached the 3,000-day mark in 2020. His statue was commissioned by the previous government, led by Jacinta Allan, in March 2023. However, the current administration has decided not to proceed with its creation, citing concerns over public expenditure. While the contract for the statue will remain intact to avoid additional costs, the project itself has been halted pending the findings of the newly formed panel. Ben Carroll, who assumed leadership of the state Labor party in July and took office as premier last month, emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility in government spending. In a formal statement, he stated that while the government respects the contributions of past leaders, taxpayer funds should be allocated carefully. He noted that state funerals, though meaningful, should remain rare due to their emotional weight and cost. The decision has sparked discussion among political figures and historians regarding the legacy of past premiers. Jeff Kennett, who initiated the statue program, clarified earlier this month that the policy was not legally binding but rather a guideline. Meanwhile, Melbourne’s mayor, Nick Reece, has previously advocated for a statue to honor Joan Kirner, the first woman to hold the position of premier, despite her shorter tenure. Kirner served from 1990 to 1992 before being succeeded by John Cain. Despite the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the Andrews statue, the new panel tasked with reviewing commemorative practices will also assess the frequency and cost of state funerals. This move reflects a broader effort to align memorial traditions with contemporary fiscal priorities. The panel will include representatives from diverse backgrounds to ensure a balanced perspective on how the state honors its political history. The independent review process is expected to take several months, during which the panel will gather input from stakeholders, including members of the public, historians, and former officials. Their final recommendations will determine whether the Andrews statue proceeds in a modified form or if it is replaced entirely by another figure. The outcome could set a precedent for future decisions on how Victoria chooses to remember its political leaders. Daniel Andrews has not yet commented on the decision, though he previously expressed indifference toward having a statue erected in his honor. During his 3,000-day milestone in 2023, he remarked that the threshold was a concept introduced by Kennett and held no particular significance for him personally. Instead, he focused on continuing his government’s agenda without seeking symbolic recognition. As the panel begins its work, the focus shifts to evaluating the broader implications of how Victoria chooses to commemorate its political past. The review will likely influence future policies on state memorials and the balance between honoring tradition and managing public resources responsibly.