VICTORIAN PREMIER ALLAN CONDEMNS WITCH BILLBOARD AMID HANSON ROW

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has publicly condemned a truck-mounted billboard circulating around Melbourne that displays AI-generated images of her wearing a pointed black hat alongside the phrase "ditch the witch". Allan made her remarks at a press conference in Melbourne on Tuesday. She described the billboard as using "language and visual imagery that speaks to centuries old sexism against women". Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson all separately condemned the billboard.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson told Sky News on Monday that she had been called a witch "long before" Allan, and urged the premier to "suck it up, sweetheart". Hanson later added that it was "no wonder they called her a witch", citing rising crime, debt, and allegations of corruption in the construction union in Victoria. She told Sky News that "stronger words might be used" for Allan and that people wanted Allan gone sooner rather than later. Gillard was subjected to the "ditch the witch" phrase during her own time as prime minister.

Allan dismissed speculation about her leadership at the press conference and stated she would continue to call out "sexist, misogynist, hateful" commentary. She said Hanson "chooses to barrack for the bullies", while she herself chose to fight them. Allan said she was grateful for Gillard's response and the wider reaction from both women and men in the community. She called for a line to be drawn against division and hate.