The Victorian government has scrapped controversial plans for a $134,000 bronze statue of former premier Daniel Andrews, with his successor Ben Carroll announcing an independent bipartisan review into how the state commemorates former leaders.
Work on the effigy began in May following a commission issued by the Allan government in March. The project formed part of a 1999 initiative established by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett to recognise state leaders who serve more than 3,000 days in office. Mr Andrews stepped down as Victoria’s 48th premier in 2023 after serving more than 3,000 days in the role from 2014.
The memorial immediately drew heavy criticism from the Liberal opposition, with Opposition Leader Jess Wilson previously pledging to scrap the proposal if the Coalition won government at the upcoming November state election.
Addressing the project on Friday, Premier Ben Carroll confirmed that an independent and bipartisan panel would review the state’s approach to public tributes and monuments. While Mr Carroll did not mention Mr Andrews by name in his formal statement, referring to him only as Victoria’s 48th premier, he emphasized fiscal restraint.
"I respect your money. That means being careful and deliberate about how government spends it," Mr Carroll said in a statement reported by ABC News. "State funerals are special and moving tributes. Part of what makes them special is their rarity. We are grateful to former premiers for their service. But gratitude does not require a taxpayer-funded statue."
Contract adjustments and alternative tributes
To avoid incurring financial penalties for breaking the existing agreement, the Carroll government confirmed that the current contract for the Andrews statue will not be cancelled. Instead, the newly commissioned independent panel has been tasked with recommending an alternative subject and location for the already commissioned artwork.
The bronze tribute joins a historical line of similar monuments located in Treasury Place, Melbourne. The late-1990s Kennett government initiative previously resulted in statues for former leaders including John Cain junior, Sir Albert Dunstan, Sir Henry Bolte, and Sir Rupert Hamer, created by prominent sculptor Peter Corlett. While other long-serving figures like Sir James McCulloch reached the 3,000-day milestone across the 19th century, only a select group received bronze effigies.
Figures including former premier Jeff Kennett and Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece have previously advocated for a public memorial to honour Joan Kirner, who served as Victoria’s first female premier following her appointment in 1990.
Mr Andrews has not publicly commented on the decision to scrap the statue. During the initial announcement of the milestone in 2023, the former Labor leader maintained that he did not seek a permanent bronze likeness in Treasury Gardens, noting that the 3,000-day metric was a standard devised by Mr Kennett.
Review into state funerals and memorials
Beyond public statuary, the newly established independent panel’s remit will extend to examining the frequency, scale, and associated costs of official state funerals and memorial services across Victoria.
The panel is scheduled to begin its comprehensive assessment ahead of the November state election, with its final recommendations expected to shape future protocols for honouring public figures in the state.
