Episode Details

The statue plan for Daniel Andrews is officially scrapped, as his successor Ben Carroll has called for an independent review of Victoria’s tradition of honoring premiers with bronze statues. While the idea began in 1999 with Jeff Kennett and was meant to honor leaders serving over three thousand days, Carroll emphasized that taxpayer-funded monuments aren’t automatic—even if a premier served long. Though Andrews himself never wanted one, the opposition had already vowed to cancel it if they won power. Rather than scrap the commissioned work outright, a panel will now decide its future—possibly repurposing it or choosing a new subject. This marks a departure from decades of tradition, where long-serving premiers like Dunstan, Bolte, and Hamer were routinely honored, while others like McCulloch weren’t. The debate also opens the door to recognizing figures like Joan Kirner, Victoria’s first female premier, despite her shorter tenure. The statue may not rise—but the conversation about how Victoria remembers its leaders is just beginning.

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