Pauline Hanson delivers blunt response to critics of cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie’s vaginal prolapse

Pauline Hanson delivers blunt response to critics of cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie's vaginal prolapse

Pauline Hanson has delivered a blunt response to criticism over a cartoon accused of mocking Jacqui Lambie's vaginal prolapse, declaring: 'It's a satire. Take a chill pill.' The One Nation leader faced backlash from politicians across the political divide after the party's latest Please Explain cartoon made light of Senator Lambie's struggles with the medical condition. The backlash intensified on Monday after Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie condemned One Nation over the latest instalment of its Please Explain cartoon series.

Speaking in Tasmania the same day, Hanson said: 'Jacqui Lambie, get over it… it is actually satirical.' 'I think she's taken it [to] heart, which she shouldn't be. You know, have a good look at it, and have a bit of a laugh Jacqui, and lighten up,' she added.

In August, Lambie had revealed she had a vaginal and bladder prolapse requiring surgery and five months of leave during an impassioned speech criticising a proposed cap on returned-service healthcare. She said the condition developed as a result of a back injury sustained during her time serving in the army. 'By making this cartoon, One Nation didn't just make light of my own medical struggles, but those of so many other women who have experienced reproductive health issues,' she said.

'I spoke about my own battle in parliament, not to get sympathy, as One Nation may suggest, but to let other women know they are not alone.' Lambie said the controversy highlighted the stigma that continues to surround women's reproductive health. 'Unfortunately, even in this day and age, there is still so much stigma attached to the word "vagina" and female reproductive health. That shame and embarrassment can lead to women putting off getting help for too long,' she said.

She also rejected suggestions that revealing her condition publicly meant it was now 'fair game' for ridicule. 'No. Speaking openly is not an invitation to be mocked or degraded,' she said.

The video drew criticism from across the political spectrum, with Labor frontbencher Tim Ayres and independent Kooyong MP Monique Ryan among those condemning the cartoon. Ryan, a medical doctor, praised Senator Lambie for speaking openly about her experience, while describing the video as a 'nasty style of politics'. Liberal MP Andrew Hastie also criticised the cartoon, warning Australians to take note of One Nation's political approach.

'This is a cheap, nasty and vulgar joke at the expense of Senator Lambie's medical condition,' he said. 'This is the MAGA-style politics we can expect from One Nation if they are elected to government.' The backlash comes after Hastie was himself targeted in an earlier episode of the Please Explain series, which branded the Western Australian Liberal MP a 'traitor'. The former Special Air Service soldier said he had a sense of humour but argued that taking cheap shots at another politician's medical condition was not funny.

He also accused Senator Hanson of hypocrisy, pointing to her anger after billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart became the subject of a controversial joke on an ABC program that suggested she should be attacked. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher also condemned the cartoon, saying: 'Making fun of women's health concerns isn't satire. It's bullying.' The cartoon, published to Hanson's social media accounts on Saturday, depicts Lambie as backing the government's proposed digital duty of care, intended to strengthen online protections for children and give users greater control over the content they encounter.

It portrays the proposed changes as a crackdown on free speech, with Lambie's character declaring that One Nation's animated series has 'gotta go'. 'Oh, I hear it's funny sometimes,' a caricature of Senator Penny Wong says. 'No, it's not, plus I can't laugh because of my prolapsed vagina,' Lambie replies.

'Oh, don't tell me they've made fun of that, have they?' a caricature of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says. 'No, that'd be very distasteful,' Lambie's character replies. Asked whether she had contacted Hanson or One Nation to request that the cartoon be removed, Lambie said she had not, but suggested those close to the party leader should intervene.

'I would've thought that if those people, and especially those men in there, had any front whatsoever, what they'd do is ask her to remove it effective immediately,' she said. 'She's dragging all those other men around her into it too. 'If you think it's a laughable matter about women having problems with their reproductive system, then be my guest and stand by her.

'But seriously, enough is enough.