Daniel Andrews has been forced to deny that a state funeral for Shane Warne was intentionally scheduled to ‘sabotage’ Scott Morrison’s federal budget.
The legendary cricketer, 52, died from a heart attack in Thailand on March 4 and will be farewelled by 100,000 fans at the MCG on March 30.
A private family service is expected to be held late next week ahead of the public event put on by the Victorian Government.
Shane Warne (in black jacket) is pictured with his children Jackson, Brooke and Summer
But some federal Coalition MPs think Mr Andrews deliberately scheduled the memorial service the day after budget night ‘to sabotage the budget, which the government plans as its election campaign springboard’, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The Victorian premier previously said the public service would allow people to farewell one of the state’s greatest sporting heroes.
‘It will be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to his contribution to his sport, to our state and the country,’ he said.
Mr Andrews denied there was any ulterior motive to the date of Warne’s memorial service.
‘This is not about politicians, it’s about the family and the fans,’ his spokesperson told the AFR.
‘As it should be, the process for choosing a memorial date was led by the family – and we respect their wishes.’
With the AFL season about to start, the availability of the MCG for the memorial is limited.
The date of the service was reportedly initially pencilled in for March 29 but moved when Mr Andrews realised that was the day of the budget, his office said.
A date change was hoped to allow both Mr Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese to attend.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured left) has denied allegations a state funeral for Shane Warne was scheduled on March 30 to ‘sabotage’ Scott Morrison’s (pictured right) federal budget
Shane Warne’s (pictured) state funeral in Melbourne has become a political issue with a federal election due within two months
Shane Warne’s plane touches down at Essendon airport after his death in Thailand and his final flight home to Australia
But it is still unlikely either party leader will be there. The day after the budget, which is handed down from 7.30pm the night before, is one of the busiest of the year.
The government will heap praise on its measures – especially so with an election due within two months – while Labor will try to tear them down.
Mr Albanese and his staff and shadow ministers will also have to prepare his budget reply speech, which will be even more important than usual with an election imminent.
Warne’s body arrived back in Australia on Thursday evening, with a private jet owned by Australian millionaire Terry Peabody’s company carrying him home to Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne.
The MCG’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed the SK Warne Stand in honour of the leg-spinner legend.
‘The government will rename the Great Southern Stand at the MCG — the place he took his hat-trick and 700th wicket — to honour Shane and his contribution to the game,’ Mr Andrews said.
‘The SK Warne Stand will be a permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian.’
Warne was staying in a private villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui with three friends, including one who performed CPR after finding him unconscious when he did not make it to dinner.
But Warne may have been dead for up to 45 minutes before paramedics were called to his luxury villa, first responders claim.
Paramedics told Daily Mail Australia it was likely he suffered a heart attack while relaxing alone well before his mates went to check on him in his room.
Warne’s family revealed he had some heart troubles and asthma in the weeks leading up to his death, and had also completed a 14-day liquid only diet.
Members of his family issued poignant tributes honouring him after his shock death.
Shane’s parents, Keith and Brigitte, his brother Jason, his children, Jackson, Summer and Brooke and his ex-wife, Simone, each released statements last Monday.
His parents said was they were experiencing was a ‘never-ending nightmare’ for the family, while Jason called it a ‘truly heartbreaking’.
Jackson, 22, said he would ‘try and be happy’ after his father’s death, while Summer, 20, said her father was ‘the best dad someone could ever ask for’.
His eldest daughter Brooke, 24, said she was in shock: ‘It doesn’t feel right, you were taken away too soon and life is so cruel.’
Warne’s former wife Simone said: ‘Who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains.’
The private plane containing Shane Warne’s remains touches down at Essendon airport after his death in Thailand
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