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Rolf Harris tributes could be ripped up in home state of Western Australia Rolf Harris tributes could be ripped up in home state of Western Australia
(about 2 hours later)
The City of Perth says it is likely to tear up a footpath plaque in its central business district dedicated to Rolf Harris.The City of Perth says it is likely to tear up a footpath plaque in its central business district dedicated to Rolf Harris.
The 84-year-old was on Monday found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against four girls in the UK between 1968 and 1986.The 84-year-old was on Monday found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against four girls in the UK between 1968 and 1986.
And now his home town is deciding what to do with monuments honouring the disgraced entertainer.And now his home town is deciding what to do with monuments honouring the disgraced entertainer.
"The boy from Bassendean" is among more than 150 notable West Australians celebrated with a plaque inlaid in the footpath of Perth's St Georges Terrace."The boy from Bassendean" is among more than 150 notable West Australians celebrated with a plaque inlaid in the footpath of Perth's St Georges Terrace.
The mayor of the City of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi, said the council was considering tearing it up. "What we've looked at this morning already is a council consideration in the next few weeks. We'll consider the removal, most likely, of the plaque," Scaffidi told Fairfax radio on Tuesday.The mayor of the City of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi, said the council was considering tearing it up. "What we've looked at this morning already is a council consideration in the next few weeks. We'll consider the removal, most likely, of the plaque," Scaffidi told Fairfax radio on Tuesday.
The council would first ask for the views of committee that selected Harris for a plaque, she said.The council would first ask for the views of committee that selected Harris for a plaque, she said.
"I can't say until the council decision is made but the general feeling around the place is that we don't accept those kind of offences," Scaffidi said. "It's a very sad issue and something we need to deal with.""I can't say until the council decision is made but the general feeling around the place is that we don't accept those kind of offences," Scaffidi said. "It's a very sad issue and something we need to deal with."
It is also understood the town of Bassendean plans to consider at a special meeting on Thursday whether to remove Harris's status as a freeman of the town.It is also understood the town of Bassendean plans to consider at a special meeting on Thursday whether to remove Harris's status as a freeman of the town.
It emerged in May that a portrait of Harris had been removed from Bassendean's council chambers.It emerged in May that a portrait of Harris had been removed from Bassendean's council chambers.
There is also the question of what to do with his art, which adorns the halls of Perth Modern School, where he was a student. His boyhood school has already decided to pull down his paintings.
A West Australian Education Department spokeswoman said several Harris artworks would be removed from the walls of Perth Modern School, where he was a student from 1943 to 1947.
She said the paintings would need to be professionally removed over coming days and the school's board would meet to decide what to do with them.
Harris is likely to be jailed at his sentencing on Friday.Harris is likely to be jailed at his sentencing on Friday.
The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, said he was distressed at the news of Harris's conviction.The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, said he was distressed at the news of Harris's conviction.
"I feel gutted and dismayed but it's very important that we do everything we humanly can to protect vulnerable young people," Abbott told ABC radio. "Sexual abuse is an utterly abhorrent crime."I feel gutted and dismayed but it's very important that we do everything we humanly can to protect vulnerable young people," Abbott told ABC radio. "Sexual abuse is an utterly abhorrent crime.
"It's just sad and tragic that this person who was admired seems to have been a perpetrator.""It's just sad and tragic that this person who was admired seems to have been a perpetrator."