Moves to immortalise Daniel Andrews in bronze could be in doubt, with
the controversial honour to be debated in parliament.
A petition opposing the statue was this week tabled in the Victorian
parliament with 12,644 signatures calling for the government to abandon
the honour.
“We respectfully urge the government to cancel this proposal as it is
inappropriate to erect statues of living politicians,” it 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.”
The petition, tabled by Liberal MP Moira Deeming, also referenced ongoing
debate about the former premier’s involvement in a 2013 crash that left a
teen cyclist injured.
Mr Andrews is set to become just the fifth Victorian premier bestowed
with the honour, joining John Cain Jr, Rupert Hamer, Henry Bolte and
Albert Dunstan whose sculptures sit along Treasury Place.
But the government has persistently refused to say if he will join them, or
be placed somewhere more prominent, or to reveal how much the statue
will cost taxpayers.
In a response to Mrs Deeming about the cost and potential location of a
statue – which has been in the works for almost a year – Jacinta Allan this
week refused to elaborate. “Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett
introduced a policy to install statues of former Victorian premiers who
serve 3000 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. I am advised that the process of installing a statue of former
premier Daniel Andrews, who served over 3000 days in office, is under
way.”
Parliamentary standing orders allow debate on petitions that garner
10,000 or more signatures.
Confirmation the statue had been commissioned sparked a fierce public
backlash against the most divisive Victorian premier in living memory.
Mr Andrews repeatedly shut down talk of a statue while he still reigned
over the state, saying that would be an issue for his successor.
Mr Andrews was last year awarded the nation’s highest honour – the
Companion of the Order of Australia – as part of this year’s King’s
Birthday honours.
Families of pandemic victims – 768 of whom died following the Andrews
government’s botched hotel quarantine program and bungled contact
tracing – slammed the award at the time.
A ministerial briefing note, released under Freedom of Information laws,
revealed Ms Allan considered the Andrews statue in her first months as
Premier
Source: SHANNON DEERY Herald Sun