Authorities in Western Australia have removed the statue of former Australian Rules Football player Nicky Winmar from Perth's Optus Stadium after his conviction for assaulting a woman. Workers used a crane to take down the tribute in the early hours of Sunday morning, hours after Premier Roger Cook ordered its removal.
Winmar was found guilty on Friday in a Victorian court of smashing a woman's head against a door during an attack in northern Victoria on May 14 last year. He was convicted of two charges of common law assault and one count of unlawful assault. He was acquitted on a fourth charge of intentionally causing injury.
Premier Cook directed VenuesWest to remove the statue shortly after the verdict. "Violence against women is never acceptable, and it is important we send a strong message to the community," Cook stated. "Following Nicky Winmar's conviction, I'm of the firm view that it is no longer appropriate for that statue to be displayed."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported the decision, saying, "There is no place for violence against women anywhere in Australia. I support the premier's decision."
The statue, erected in 2019, depicted a significant moment in Winmar's career when he lifted his jersey and pointed to his skin color after being subjected to racist abuse during a 1993 match against Collingwood. The artwork was commissioned by the AFL and created by sculptor Louis Laumen.
Reports indicate the statue will be placed in storage until its future is decided. The woman who accused Winmar described an incident where he allegedly grabbed her arm, twisted it, dragged her by the hair, pushed her against a wall, spat, yelled in her face, and repeatedly bashed her head against a wooden door. She stated she was "petrified" and "fearful for my life" during the assault.
Former Western Australian Sports Minister Mick Murray expressed disappointment in Winmar's actions but also sadness over the statue's removal, noting its significance to many people. Winmar, a former St Kilda star, played in the AFL from 1987 to 2002.