Victoria’s ex-premier Dan Andrews statue could become ‘public urinal’, shadow treasurer Tim Wilson says

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson says there is “serious risk” the installation of a statue honouring former Victorian premier Dan Andrews would become “a public urinal”.

Mr Wilson on Friday joined mounting public outrage concerning the proposal, with a new poll this week revealing most Victorians, including Labor voters, want it scrapped.

“The first minor public project that should be cut should be Dan Andrews’ statue because that does not sit on any hierarchy of a single Victorian and their priorities,” Mr Wilson said on the Today show.

“You know, I don’t think Dan Andrews should want this statue, frankly, because I think there’s a serious risk of it becoming a public urinal.”

“We have a new premier out there, Ben Carroll, saying that he is cutting back on major public projects because the state can’t afford it. The state’s first minor public project that should be cut should be Dan Andrews’ statue because that does not sit on a hierarchy of a single Victorian and their priorities.”

Mr Wilson is far from being the only person to criticise the statue as a waste of funds, with more than $134,000 being earmarked for the project.

A Freshwater Strategy poll shows 74 per cent of Victorians oppose the statue.

In May, the government confirmed the statue would be built and Fitzroy-based firm Meridian Sculpture would create it.

Having held the position from 2014 to 2023, Mr Andrews was the longest-serving Labor premier in Victoria’s history and the fourth longest serving state leader overall.

While his impact on the state was monumental, taxpayers are having to foot the bill at a time when the state government has vowed to cut spending on large projects.

Victorian premiers who serve more than 3000 days in office are recognised with a statue, according to a policy introduced by the Kennett government.

Mr Andrews was in office for 3219 days.