Daniel Andrews denies interest in bronze statue of himself to commemorate 3000 days in office

Daniel Andrews says he didn’t even know when he was eligible for a statue commemorating his 3000 days as Victorian Premier.

Daniel Andrews says he hasn’t given any thought to a statue commemorating 3000 days as the Premier of Victoria. Picture: David Geraghty

Daniel Andrews insists that he hasn’t given any thought to a statue commemorating 3000 days as the Premier of Victoria.

The Premier will officially become eligible for the statue on Monday.

But he said he’s not at all focused on accepting the monument, maintaining that it will become an issue for the next Premier of Victoria.

“You guys seem much more interested in that than I am, in fact, you are absolutely more interested about that than I am,” he said on Thursday.

“Monday is the day apparently. I had to be told that. Obviously I wasn’t sitting down and working it out for myself.

“You know what Monday is about? There is a cabinet meeting on Monday. That’s what I’ll be focused on.

“On three occasions, Victorians have chosen us to get on and get things done and that’s absolutely what we are focused on everyday.”

Elizabeth Doidge, City of Melbourne councillor, has called for Andrews to approve a statue of a woman instead. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The policy to immortalise a leader in bronze if they serve longer than 3000 days in the top job was established by former Premier Jeff Kennett in the 1990s.

“From my point of view, there’s no magic to that day,” Mr Andrews added.

“That’s a milestone that was dreamt up by former Premier Kennett.

“People who spend a lot of time talking about legacy usually spend not enough time actually building one.”

The Herald Sun this week reported the growing push for more women to be commemorated in the form of statues.

La Trobe University historian and co-convener of activist group A Monument of One’s Own Clare Wright said it was up for debate as to whether we need “another statue of white male public figure”.

“Daniel Andrews might stop to consider whether the resources could be redirected to closing the gender gap when it comes to commemorative justice in this state,” she said.

Asked on Thursday what he made of Prof Wright’s comments, Mr Andrews said: “I don’t have any views on her views”.

The Andrews government has established a $1m program to commemorate more women in the form of a statue.