The Carroll government in Victoria has cancelled plans for a statue of former Labor premier Daniel Andrews. Work on the statue, which was to commemorate Mr Andrews' more than 3,000 days in office, began in May.
Premier Ben Carroll announced on Saturday that the Kennett government policy, which automatically recognised long-serving Victorian premiers with a statue on Treasury Place, would end. He has directed that work on the Andrews statue cease.
Mr Carroll stated, "We are grateful to former premiers for their service. But gratitude does not require a taxpayer-funded statue." He added, "I respect your money. That means being careful and deliberate about how government spends it."
An independent panel has been appointed to review how Victoria commemorates officials with statues and state services. The panel will also select an alternative subject and location for the commissioned work, as the statue contract will not be cancelled. The planned statue's cost of $134,000 had been criticised by the Liberal opposition.