Victorians have been alerted a controversial statue to honour former state Premier Dan Andrews will cost taxpayers a fortune in repair bills from vandal attacks.
The state is set to foot the expense after plans for the bronze statue were verified last September, a year after Andrews unexpectedly gave up politics after nine years as premier.
The process of installing the statue is already underway, with an expert exposing it will be put at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, beside the state parliament buildings.
No official costings have actually been released, but Peter Corlett, the artist behind four previous statues of previous premiers has approximated each cost on average $100,000.
But the project has been given the green light by the Labor-run state federal government despite Victoria facing a debilitating budget plan crunch in the middle of a ballooning debt crisis.
Now senior opposition representative Brad Rowswell called for the statue to be axed over its initial cost and worries of an expense blow out in the years ahead.
'Cost of living is through the roofing and Victorians do not feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.
'But Labor wish to press on with an obelisk to their previous dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?
Victorians have been alerted a statue of previous premier Dan Andrews (envisioned with other half Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to constant vandalism and increased security
An AI-created image of what the bronze statue of previous Premier Dan Andrews might appear like
The Andrews monument will more than likely be placed beside this statue of former Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place
'Dan Andrews' tradition, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is absolutely nothing to commemorate.
'He packed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is paying for the cost of his destruction.
'The truth is the statue, needs to it go on, it'll be vandalised or asteroidsathome.net even beheaded every other day and will spend more time being repaired than remaining in public.
'In a harsh twist I fear it'll keep costing taxpayers more money to repair and keep it protected.
'It's about time Labor checked out the tea leaves on this one and rid their former leader to the dust bin of history where he belongs.'
Prominent Melbourne magnate Rob Angel has also spoken out against the statue and alerted it could be the last straw for him and other business.
He said he is currently examining whether to pull his multimillion dollar business EnviraGroup out of Victoria following Andrews' stint as premier.
'Our crippling debt for generations will suffice a reminder of Andrews' premiership, we do not need a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell (envisioned) called for the statue plan to be binned
Dan Andrews gathered steadfast loyalty and affection from some and derision from others over his 9 years in the function
The Andrews statue will be positioned near these two gentlemen
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'Andrews is responsible for the near-bankruptcy of Victoria and the state financial obligation under his and Jacinta Allan's Labor federal government is really stunning.
'Our net debt is growing by $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187 billion by 2027.
'Our interest repayments go beyond $1 million and our debt could buy 47 large city health centers so I don't think a cent must be invested on a statue.'
Andrews garnered steadfast loyalty and affection from some, and derision from others over his 9 years in the role.
But his life in Victoria post-retirement developed into a headache as he faces stoushes and several fronts.
Multiple companies and owners including Jim's Mowing manager Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina banned Andrews from their organizations and services.
Penman formally told Daily Mail Australia in December he had actually cancelled Andrews and 'believes all of Victoria' ought to blacklist the previous pollie too.
'If I was on the tools, I wouldn't work for him, and I 'd motivate any franchisee or independent professional to do the exact same,' Mr Penman said.
Jim's Mowing manager Jim Penman banned Andrews from his organizations and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his location
'It must be humiliating for him [getting backlisted] He was all effective resting on his throne at Spring St, wagging his fingers saying who can work and who can't - but people now have the power.'
Mr Penman likewise said he believed it was 'personally a good concept' for Andrews to give up Victoria after his exit from politics and bphomesteading.com his brand-new role as chair of youth psychological health trust, Orygen.
'I would hope he leave. He's lacking choices, I would recommend he leave Victoria, the quantity of damage he has done to this state is countless,' he said.
'It's likewise ridiculous this business of Andrews running this psychological health organisation its like letting rapists run women shelters or paedophiles running childcare centres.'
Daily Mail Australia likewise exclusively revealed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne venue Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his location.
Mr Dimattina also said the former premier was 'quickly the most disliked person' in the Victoria as it is revealed multiple restaurant owners had actually declined service to Mr Andrews and his partner Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my bar,' Mr Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.
'If he strolled in and took a seat ... the Lamaro's crowd would be disgusted if they saw him ... Andrews is disliked because of his entire anti-business stance.
Andrews life in Victoria post-retirement turned into a nightmare as he deals with stoushes and a number of fronts
Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL profession by organizing the dining establishment and produce empire established by his daddy Frank, said Andrews also 'absolutely maimed' the hospitality industry.
'Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once prospering restaurants are boarded up, its the very same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty services everywhere,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a small organization not an easy thing ... he 'd be better off leaving the state, I make certain there's some individuals who still love him, lefties which, but he's not welcome anywhere and we'll all be much better off without seeing him here.'
Restaurateur Chris Lucas also revealed he told Andrews' partner Cath 'not available' after she called to schedule a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall located at the when bustling Melbourne Chapel St precinct during the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula prohibited Andrews from signing up with and there was likewise rumours exclusive Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex premier.
Andrews was Victorian Premier for practically nine years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has actually taken on a brand-new function at Orygen, a mental health organisation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in office are immortalised outside government workplaces near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a rule introduced by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.
Andrews would sign up with thestatues of John Cain (1982-1990), Rupert Hamer (1972-1981), Henry Bolte (1955-1972) and Albert Dunstan (1935-1945) at 1 Treasury Place.
