Petition against Dan Andrews statue to be debated amid claims ‘there remains unresolved allegations’ concerning the former premier
A petition with 12,644 signatures has been tabled in parliament calling for Labor to abandon plans to cast a bronze statue of former premier Dan Andrews, with Liberal MP Moira Deeming saying “it is inappropriate”.
Victoria
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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.
“Questions persist regarding Daniel Andrews’ actions, including delays in reporting the incident and concerns about a possible political cover-up, raising serious doubts about accountability in public office,” it said.
“Spending taxpayer money on a political monument, particularly for a figure whose legacy remains contested, is inappropriate during a time of economic hardship and community division.
“Doing so risks deepening distrust and undermining public confidence in government priorities.
“The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the government to cancel any plans to commission or install a statue of former Premier the Hon. Daniel Andrews.”
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 say.
“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 premier’s 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.
A minister must also provide a response to the petition within 30 days.
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.
Originally published as Petition against Dan Andrews statue to be debated amid claims ‘there remains unresolved allegations’ concerning the former premier
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