A contentious bronze statue immortalising former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will be debated in state parliament amid claims ‘unresolved allegations’ remain.
Plans to make Andrews the fifth premier to be given a permanent statue have been contested by 12,644 Australians in a petition tabled in the Victorian parliament.
‘We respectfully urge the government to cancel this proposal as it is inappropriate to erect statues of living politicians,’ the petition said.
‘Public monuments should be reserved for individuals whose legacies have been tested over time and are broadly regarded as unifying.
‘There remains unresolved allegations regarding Daniel Andrews’ management and handling of human rights during the state’s pandemic response, lockdowns, and use of enforcement powers.
‘These issues should be fully resolved before any public honour is considered.’
Liberal MP Moira Deeming presented the petition, which noted Andrews’ highly-debated involvement in a car crash with a teenage cyclist in 2013.
‘Questions persist regarding Daniel Andrews’ actions, including delays in reporting the incident and concerns about a possible political cover–up, raising serious doubts about accountability in public office,’ the petition continued.
A petition to stop the creation of a bronze statue immortalizing former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured in 2023) will be debated in state parliament
Andrews is set to join four existing statues of Victorian premiers who served more than 3,000 days in office (pictured, the statue of former premier John Cain in Melbourne)
‘Spending taxpayer money on a political monument, particularly for a figure whose legacy remains contested, is inappropriate during a time of economic hardship and community division.
‘Doing so risks deepening distrust and undermining public confidence in government priorities.
‘The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the government to cancel any plans to commission or install a statue of former Premier the Hon. Daniel Andrews.’
Andrews is set to be the fifth Victorian premier to receive recognition with a statue, alongside John Cain Jr, Rupert Hamer, Henry Bolte and Albert Dunstan who all stand on Treasury Place in the city’s CBD.
However, details of the cost of his statue and its planned location remain under wraps. When pressed, Andrews said those decisions were up to his successor.
Victorian Premier Jacina Allan told reporters this week that the process of installing the Dan Andrews statue is underway.
‘Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett introduced a policy to install statues of former Victorian premiers who serve 3,000 days or more in office, in recognition of their long service to Victoria,’ she said.
‘The existing statues are located outside 1 Treasury Place and include former premiers Rupert Hamer, Henry Bolte, Albert Dunstan and John Cain Jr.
Andrews (pictured with his wife, Catherine) has become a divisive figure in Victoria for his handling of the Covid pandemic and involvement in a 2013 crash with a teenage cyclist
Parliamentary standing orders permit the debate of petitions which receive more than 10,000 signatures, with a minister to provide a response within 30 days.
Andrews was premier for almost nine years before he resigned in late 2023.
He has since taken on a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.
His handling of the Covid pandemic and use of enforcement powers were called into question after Melbourne remained in lockdown for 245 days, the longest in Australia and large parts of the world.
A bungled hotel quarantine scheme by the Andrews Government has been blamed for the deaths of 768 people.
The families of those victims publicly condemned Andrews last year when he was awarded the nation’s highest honour – the Companion of the Order of Australia.
