Source : Perth Now news
Disgraced former AFL star Ben Cousins has been dumped from a speaking engagement at a pub following backlash from domestic violence victims.
The George Hotel in Ballarat had been due to host the former West Coast talisman on Wednesday evening, in an event that promised he would “open up like never before”.
However, the plug was pulled on the event at the 11th hour, with venue bosses announcing the decision a matter of hours before it was due to get under way.
It came after fierce backlash at the show being held, centred on his previous convictions for domestic abuse related offences.
“The George Hotel has heard the anger, disappointment and hurt expressed following our decision to host Ben Cousins as a guest speaker,” a statement posted on the pub’s Facebook page reads.
“We recognise that decisions about who is given a public platform carry particular significance for women, victim-survivors and others affected by domestic violence.
“We understand why members of our community have questioned what this event represents and whether their experiences and concerns were adequately considered.
“They were not considered carefully enough, and we are sorry.”
The statement, attributed to the pub’s management, goes on to accept responsibility for the event being scheduled and promised a review to be held into future event planning.
The initial statement was published at shortly after 9am on Wednesday, the morning of the event.
A second statement was published later in the afternoon clarifying that the pub had made no revenue from the event, which was organised by an external promoter.
“Ticket holders are encouraged to contact the event presenter, zentertainment@bigpond.com directly for information about next steps, including refunds.
Cousins made 238 appearances for West Coast between 1996 and 2007, before joining Richmond in 2009.
In 2017, he received a 12-month suspended prison sentence for stalking his partner and breaching a family violence intervention order.
In 2020, he was jailed for seven months, again for stalking, and has faced court multiple times over drug use and possession.
Promotional material for the show stated he would be sharing stories from his time behind bars, as well as discussing his “unfolding journey to redemption”.
He is still advertised to appear at the Sporting Globe venue in Geelong on Thursday evening.
