Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has expressed her disgust at a campaign targeting the current Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, which features billboards displaying the phrase 'ditch the witch'. The billboards, which have been circulating around Melbourne for approximately six weeks, depict Ms Allan wearing a black pointed hat, reminiscent of historical caricatures of witches. Ms Gillard, who herself faced similar misogynistic attacks during her time in office, described the campaign as 'disgusting' and a clear example of misogyny.
The current Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has also condemned the campaign, labelling the attacks on Premier Allan as 'appalling'. Speaking publicly, Mr Albanese highlighted the unacceptable nature of such personal and gendered attacks in political discourse. His comments underscore a broader concern within Australian politics regarding the treatment of women in public life and the resurgence of deeply offensive language.
The 'ditch the witch' slogan carries significant historical weight in Australian politics, having been prominently used against Ms Gillard during her premiership between 2010 and 2013. At that time, Ms Gillard notably delivered a powerful speech in parliament condemning misogyny, which gained international attention. The reappearance of this specific phrase in relation to another female leader has therefore triggered strong reactions from those who witnessed the previous campaign and its damaging impact.
Premier Allan, who assumed the leadership of Victoria in September 2023, has been the subject of these billboards which have been observed on trucks travelling around the city. While the originators of the campaign have not been officially identified, the deliberate use of such imagery and language points to an intent to undermine and de-legitimise her leadership through gendered abuse. The persistent nature of the campaign over several weeks suggests a concerted effort rather than an isolated incident.
The condemnation from both former and current Prime Ministers highlights a bipartisan rejection of such tactics within Australian political discourse. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in leadership positions, where personal attacks often extend beyond policy debate to encompass gender-based vilification. The incident is likely to prompt further discussion about the standards of political campaigning and the need for respectful engagement.