Victorians have been warned 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 bear the expense after prepare for the bronze statue were verified last September, a year after Andrews unexpectedly quit after nine years as premier.
The process of setting up the statue is currently underway, with an expert exposing it will be put at 1 Treasury Place in the CBD, next to the state parliament buildings.
No authorities costings have actually been launched, but Peter Corlett, the artist behind four previous statues of previous premiers has actually estimated each expense on average $100,000.
But the task has actually been okayed by the Labor-run state federal government despite Victoria facing a crippling budget crunch amidst a ballooning debt crisis.
Now senior opposition spokesperson 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 roof and Victorians don't feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.
'But Labor want to press on with an obelisk to their previous dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?
Victorians have actually been warned a statue of previous premier Dan Andrews (pictured with other half Cath) will be a taxpayer-funded white elephant due to consistent vandalism and increased security
An AI-created picture of what the bronze statue of previous Premier Dan Andrews might appear like
The Andrews monument will most likely be placed next to this statue of previous Victorian premier John Cain at 1 Treasury Place
'Dan Andrews' legacy, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is absolutely nothing to celebrate.
'He stuffed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is spending for the rate of his destruction.
'The fact is the statue, needs to it go on, it'll be vandalised and even beheaded every other day and will spend more time being repaired than remaining in public.
'In a terrible twist I fear it'll keep costing taxpayers more cash to repair and keep it protected.
'It's about time Labor checked out the tea leaves on this one and orcz.com 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 warned it could be the last straw for him and other companies.
He said he is presently evaluating whether to pull his multimillion dollar company EnviraGroup out of Victoria following Andrews' stint as premier.
'Our debilitating debt for generations will suffice a suggestion of Andrews' premiership, we don't require a statue,' Mr Angel said.
Senior opposition spokesperson Brad Rowswell (pictured) called for the statue plan to be binned
Dan Andrews gathered steadfast commitment and admiration from some and derision from others over his nine 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 government is genuinely shocking.
'Our net financial obligation is growing by $80 million a day and is set to reach a record $187 billion by 2027.
'Our interest repayments exceed $1 million and our debt could buy 47 big urban medical facilities so I do not think a cent should be invested in a statue.'
Andrews garnered steady commitment and adoration from some, and derision from others over his nine years in the function.
But his life in Victoria post-retirement developed into a problem as he faces stoushes and several fronts.
Multiple business and owners including Jim's Mowing manager Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality supremo Paul Dimattina prohibited Andrews from their organizations and services.
Penman officially informed Daily Mail Australia in December he had cancelled Andrews and 'thinks all of Victoria' needs to blacklist the previous pollie too.
'If I was on the tools, I would not 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 businesses and services
Ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne place Lamaro's Hotel, had banned Andrews from his location
'It should be embarrassing for asteroidsathome.net him [getting backlisted] He was all effective sitting 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 thought it was 'personally a great idea' for Andrews to give up Victoria after his exit from politics and his new function as chair of youth psychological health trust, Orygen.
'I would hope he leave. He's lacking options, I would advise he leave Victoria, the amount of damage he has done to this state is immeasurable,' he said.
'It's likewise ludicrous this service of Andrews running this mental health organisation its like letting rapists run women shelters or paedophiles running childcare centres.'
Daily Mail Australia likewise solely exposed in December that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne location Lamaro's Hotel, had prohibited Andrews from his place.
Mr Dimattina likewise said the former premier was 'easily the most disliked individual' in the Victoria as it is revealed several dining establishment owners had actually declined service to Mr Andrews and his spouse Cath.
'No hope Andrews would get a seat at my bar,' Mr Dimattina informed Daily Mail Australia.
'If he strolled in and tandme.co.uk sat down ... the Lamaro's crowd would be revolted if they saw him ... Andrews is disliked since of his entire anti-business stance.
Andrews life in Victoria post-retirement became a nightmare as he deals with stoushes and a number of fronts
Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL career by taking charge of the restaurant and akropolistravel.com produce empire established by his father Frank, said Andrews also 'absolutely maimed' the hospitality industry.
'Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, when flourishing restaurants are boarded up, its the same at every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, there's empty businesses all over,' he said.
'What Andrews did is he made running a small business not a simple thing ... he 'd be much better off leaving the state, I make certain there's some people who still like him, lefties which, but he's not welcome anywhere and we'll all be better off without seeing him here.'
Restaurateur Chris Lucas also revealed he informed Andrews' wife Cath 'not available' after she called to book a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall situated at the when dynamic Melbourne Chapel St precinct throughout the Covid lockdown.
Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula prohibited Andrews from joining 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 taken on a new function at Orygen, a mental health organisation.
Bronze statues of state premiers who spent more than 3000 days in office are immortalised outdoors federal government offices near Treasury Gardens in main Melbourne, under a guideline presented 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.
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Staggering Cost of Bronze Statue of Daniel Andrews In Melbourne
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