WA news LIVE: Pub cancels Ben Cousins speaking tour after backlash

A speaking event at a Victorian pub featuring former West Coast Eagle Ben Cousins has been cancelled at the last minute following outcry over Cousins’ history of domestic violence convictions.

Cousins was due to speak at the George Hotel in the regional town of Ballarat on Wednesday night. However, a statement released by the venue that day said it had heard the “anger, disappointment, and hurt expressed” over the former footballer’s planned appearance.

A further statement confirmed the event had been cancelled “in response to concerns raised by members of our community, and in response to information that was previously not known”.

“Cancelling the event reflects our responsibility to listen to our community, and to act on what we have now learned,” the post said.