Removal of Nicky Winmar statue after domestic violence conviction sparks debate
Consensus Summary
The removal of the Nicky Winmar statue from Perth Stadium in July [DATE UNVERIFIED] has sparked debate after Winmar’s conviction for assault in May 2025. Both the Guardian and ABC report that the statue, unveiled in July 2019 (ABC) or July 2022 (Guardian), was taken down during NAIDOC Week following a guilty verdict in a Bendigo court. The statue commemorated Winmar’s 1993 act of defiance against racial abuse during an AFL match, which led to anti-vilification laws. The WA government, led by Premier Roger Cook, ordered its removal, citing the need to condemn violence against women. Indigenous leaders like Jill Gallagher and Muriel Bamblett argue the statue symbolized a broader anti-racism message and should have been subject to more consultation, while others, including Marcia Langton, support its removal. The AFL is reviewing Winmar’s Hall of Fame status, but the Guardian notes inconsistencies in how statues of figures with violent pasts are handled, comparing it to the lack of action on statues of colonial figures like James Stirling, linked to the 1834 Pinjarra massacre.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Nicky Winmar statue was unveiled in July 2019 at Perth Stadium, depicting Winmar lifting his St Kilda jersey in 1993 to protest racial abuse at Victoria Park.
- Winmar was found guilty of two counts of common assault and one count of unlawful assault in May 2025 against a woman in Cohuna, Victoria, in a Bendigo magistrates court.
- Winmar played 251 games of AFL from 1987 to 1999 and was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2022.
- The statue was commissioned by the AFL and produced by sculptor Louis Laumen, with a crowdfunding campaign.
- WA Premier Roger Cook ordered the statue’s removal, stating violence against women is 'never acceptable'.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Winmar was acquitted on the fourth charge of intentionally causing injury in May 2025.
- A pre-sentencing hearing for Winmar was held in August (2025).
- The AFL is reviewing Winmar’s status in the Hall of Fame, but did not respond about reviewing Wayne Carey, who pleaded guilty in 1996 to indecent assault.
- The 1834 Pinjarra massacre, where up to 80 men, women, and children were killed, was referenced as a comparison to the statue debate.
- Gunditjmara woman Jill Gallagher and Muriel Bamblett of Our Ways Strong Together argued the statue symbolized a broader anti-racism message and called for more consultation.
- Marcia Langton, a Yiman and Bidjara professor, stated the statue’s removal was necessary due to Winmar’s conviction and that celebrating him would be 'highly offensive'.
- AFL historian Matthew Klugman compared the statue’s removal to the lack of action on statues of colonial figures like James Stirling, who led the 1834 massacre.
- The statue was unveiled in the lead-up to NAIDOC Week and before the 50th Western Derby.
- The statue was removed on the first day of NAIDOC Week (July 5, 2026).
- The removal was ordered by Premier Roger Cook on Friday (July 2026) after the guilty verdict.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the statue was unveiled in July 2022, while the ABC states it was unveiled in July 2019.
- The Guardian mentions the statue was removed 'two days after he was found guilty of domestic violence charges in a Victorian court,' while the ABC does not specify the exact timing of the removal relative to the guilty verdict beyond 'less than two days.'
Source Articles
Take a stand on racism or send a message against violence: what should happen to the Nicky Winmar statue?
Some say the WA government was right to remove the statue after the AFL great was convicted of assault. But others say the sculpture had a bigger meaning Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast When former Western Australia premier, Mark McGowan attended the unveiling of a statue of the ex-AFL player Neil Elvis “Nicky” Winmar at Perth Stadium in July 2022 , he said the Noongar man’s “powerful message” against racism “still resonates today”. That statue, capturing the moment
Winmar statue removed during NAIDOC Week after assault conviction
A statue immortalising a key moment in AFL history against racism is taken down, after its subject Nicky Winmar is found guilty of assaulting a woman.