[Jacinta Allan Condemns Pauline Hanson’s Anti-Woman Narrative Amid Growing Political Tensions]
Jacinta Allan has dismissed leadership speculation and reaffirmed her commitment to challenging sexist, misogynist critiques, rejecting Pauline Hanson’s suggestion to “suck it up, sweetheart” in response to the “ditch the witch” billboard controversy.
Allan’s rebuke follows the circulation of an AI-generated billboard featuring her in an offensive caricature alongside the phrase, which sparked widespread condemnation. Julia Gillard, Anthony Albanese, and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson also denounced the imagery.
Hanson defended the billboard, claiming the witch trope predated Allan’s premiership. She doubled down, stating: “Probably stronger words might be used for her, but they feel the sooner she’s gone, the better.” Hansen accused Allan of “barracking for bullies,” a critique Allan called hollow.
Addressing the issue at a Melbourne press conference, Allan asserted: “Pauline Hanson chooses to barrack for the bullies. I choose to fight them.” She condemned the billboard’s use of “centuries-old sexist imagery,” praising allies like Gillard for speaking out: “We’ve got to draw the line.”
Allan dismissed internal Labor Party discussions about leadership spills as “navel gazing” amid cost-of-living crises. She emphasized: “I am absolutely determined to see this through… the old rules of politics have changed.”
A Freshwater Strategy poll revealed Labor’s Victorian primary vote at 23%, trailing Coalition (27%) and One Nation (25%). Allan acknowledged One Nation’s vote-splitting effect: “It’s taking a slice out of the Labor vote as well.”
Despite a net favorability rating of -37%, down five points, Allan remains defiant: “I don’t have a problem if people have different views – that’s democracy – but when difference is weaponized in a hateful way, I’ll always call that out.”