Australian Leaders Denounce “Ditch the Witch” Attack on Allan

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned a campaign using the phrase “ditch the witch” to target Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan after truck-mounted billboards circulated in Melbourne for about six weeks. The advertising used AI-generated images depicting Allan with a pointed hat and warts. Albanese said the messaging was “totally unacceptable” and urged a political culture focused on policy disagreements rather than personal abuse.

Albanese made the comments in Canberra on Monday, calling the campaign sexist and warning that heated rhetoric can contribute to a more threatening environment for public officials. He said political debate should be a “contest of ideas” and argued that personal denigration discourages people, including women, from entering public life.

Gillard said in a social media statement that she was “disgusted” to see the slogan used again. She noted it had been directed at her during her time as prime minister and said she had believed conditions for women in politics were slowly improving, but the reappearance of the slogan showed that progress could be reversed.

The billboards were also shown alongside advertisements for a brothel. Reports cited in the article said the campaign was funded in part by Franco Puleo, identified as the owner of the Gotham City brothel, who denied the slogan was sexist.

Political reaction widens in Victoria

Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny criticised the campaign. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson also objected, calling the language “inappropriate,” even as the slogans were directed at a leader from the opposing side of politics.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson dismissed the criticism and told Allan to “suck it up,” according to the article.

Echoes of attacks on Gillard

The slogan “ditch the witch” previously appeared during Gillard’s tenure as prime minister, and she referenced it in her widely circulated parliamentary speech on misogyny. In her latest statement, Gillard said sexism had not disappeared but had become less prominent in mainstream political debate, and she expressed disappointment at what she described as the “tired old trope” returning.

Further responses from Allan or state authorities may shape whether there are consequences for the campaign and how political advertising standards are debated in Victoria.