Taxpayer cost of Shane Warne's state memorial service revealed

Former premier Jeff Kennett has said state funerals have become “almost worthless” due to how frequently they are held, and said they should be reserved for public servants.

“I’m not being disrespectful of the individuals,” Kennett said.

“I am saying the governments have a responsibility to manage your and my money as they would their own. We are broke.”

A diverse crowd of more than 55,000 gathered to remember Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last March. The service cost $1.6 million.

About $1 million was given to Eddie McGuire’s JAM TV production company, which was paid to produce the star-studded event.

Major Events, Sport and Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said it is important to commemorate the life of “iconic” Victorians.

“There’s no right or wrong about this. What is right is celebrating the life of outstanding Victorians who have gone,” Dimopoulos said.

“I would rather be accused of being over the top than not celebrating and giving Victorians the chance to celebrate iconic people in this state, who are gone forever.”

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But Kennett said they should be reserved solely for public servants.

“The way they are being awarded now, in my opinion, renders them almost worthless,” he said.

In the past year, Olivia Newton-John, Uncle Jack Charles and boxer John Famechon were among the prominent Victorians honoured with a memorial.

Kennett has said his family would reject any offer of a state funeral.

“I don’t want one,” he said.

“I don’t intend to die today. I hope to be around for a long time.”