Plans for a $134,000 bronze statue honoring former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews have drawn sharp criticism, with a federal Liberal MP suggesting the monument could become a "public urinal." The statue, intended to be placed near Treasury Gardens alongside other long-serving Victorian premiers, has faced increasing opposition.
Federal shadow treasurer Tim Wilson voiced his strong disapproval, stating, "I don't think Dan Andrews should want this statue, frankly, because I think it's a serious risk of becoming a public urinal." Wilson's comments came as the current premier, Ben Carroll, has emphasized the need for budget cutbacks on major public projects, citing the state's financial constraints.
"The first minor public project that should be cut should be Dan Andrews' statue," Wilson told Nine's Sunrise program on Friday. His remarks highlight a growing public sentiment against the proposed expenditure.
A recent poll published by the Herald Sun indicated that a significant majority of Victorians oppose the statue. According to the Freshwater Strategy poll, 74 percent of over 1000 surveyed residents did not want the project to proceed, while only 19 percent favored it. Furthermore, 68 percent opposed the monument entirely, with about 15 percent expressing support.
Andrews, who served more than 3,000 days in office and led the state for three consecutive terms, resigned in September 2024. His tenure included overseeing Victoria's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy inquiry into allegations of corruption concerning his government's dealings with the Victorian firefighters' union. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission's report into the matter noted "serious and concerning conduct" by Andrews and senior government members, though it stopped short of making findings of corrupt behavior by the former premier.
Premier Ben Carroll has previously stated that the statue is "not a priority" for his government. Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has committed to canceling the statue if the coalition secures victory in the upcoming state election.