A report regarding the cost of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne’s state funeral has come under fire amid revelations the farewell cost Victorian taxpayers $1.6 million.
The report in The Age details newly released public documents showing the Victorian government forked out $2.8 million in total for major state funerals last year.
Warne died after suffering a heart attack aged 52 in Thailand last March and was farewelled in a moving public memorial at the MCG last March that was a fitting celebration of his life.
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While some were surprised at the cost of the service, many defended the expenditure arguing it was worth every cent to honour an Australian icon in style.
Meanwhile, Victorian AFL journalist Rohan Connolly was seething at the report – arguing it unfairly targetted the king of spin.
“What’s the point of this story, really? What does it achieve? Poor taste IMO (in my opinion),” Connolly wrote.
Sports broadcaster Jim Wilson agreed with Connolly’s sentiment, writing on Twitter: “I was there and more than happy for my taxpayers money going towards this, can we show some respect.”
Eddie McGuire’s media company JAM TV was paid $1 million to stage and produce the televised spectacle.
McGuire served as master of ceremonies, with Greta Bradman, the granddaughter of cricket icon Sir Donald Bradman, singing the national anthem as around 50,000 people packed into the MCG.
Warne’s three children — Brooke, Jackson and Summer — brought the entire country to tears with their heartfelt tributes.
The MCG’s Great Southern Stand was officially renamed the Shane Warne Stand at the memorial.
Warne was close friends with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran and Elton John — who all performed tribute songs via video link.
Warne’s farewell was the only state funeral in Victoria last year to cost more than $1 million.
Other state funerals in Victoria last year included the remembrance of the four police officers killed in a horrific crash on the Eastern Freeway ($584,204), as well as Indigenous icons Archie Roach ($254,170) and Jack Charles ($129,115).
Also honoured with state funerals were lead singer of The Seekers Judith Durham ($79,567), boxing legend John Famechon ($67,347) and former MP Jane Garrett ($50,136).
“State memorials and funerals honour individuals’ outstanding service to Victoria – they afford Victorians an opportunity to mourn, celebrate and to recognise extraordinary contributions to our great state,” a Victorian Government spokesman said.
Originally published as Shane Warne’s MCG state funeral cost taxpayers $1.6 million
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