Daniel Andrews’ $134,000 Statue Triggers Public Outcry

Work on the statue is already underway, with installation details to be finalised closer to completion.

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews arrives ahead of the Labor caucus meeting at Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 27, 2023. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A bronze statue of divisive former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is to be erected in central Melbourne at a cost of $134,000 (US$96,000), sparking outrage from opponents.

Bronze statues of premiers who spent more than 3,000 days in office are immortalised outside government offices near Treasury Gardens, under a rule introduced by former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett.