Sexist 'Ditch the Witch' billboards target Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, sparking political backlash
Consensus Summary
Multiple news outlets report that a mobile billboard campaign in Melbourne featuring the sexist slogan 'Ditch the Witch' alongside doctored images of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has sparked widespread condemnation. The ads, which have circulated for about six weeks, were partially funded by Franco Puleo, owner of the Gotham City brothel, who claimed the campaign reflected public sentiment rather than political intent. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese both denounced the campaign, with Gillard expressing disgust at the revival of a slogan used against her in 2011. The Victorian Opposition and other politicians also rejected the language, emphasizing that sexism has no place in politics. Allan herself called the ads part of a 'corrosive' political environment and warned about the broader implications for women in leadership. While the campaignâs funders deny its political nature, the overwhelming consensus among political leaders is that the billboards constitute misogynistic attacks.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A mobile billboard truck in Melbourne's CBD featured the phrase 'Ditch the Witch' alongside an image of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, using the same slogan used against former PM Julia Gillard in 2011.
- The billboards also included AI-generated images of Allan wearing a black pointed hat and with warts on her chin.
- Franco Puleo, owner of the Gotham City brothel in South Melbourne, admitted to funding part of the $105,000 advertising campaign.
- Julia Gillard publicly condemned the billboards, stating she was 'disgusted' and calling the slogan a 'tired old trope' resurrected from her own 2011 experience.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the campaign 'totally unacceptable' and said it had 'no place in public life,' emphasizing that women should not face personal attacks.
- The billboards have been circulating in Melbourne for about six weeks.
- The Victorian Opposition (Liberal Party) denied involvement in the campaign, calling the language 'inappropriate' and stating they 'donât condone that kind of behaviour.'
- The billboards were part of a 'secret and well-funded political campaign,' according to Jacinta Allan.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The billboards were paid in part by Franco Puleo, who told the Sydney Morning Herald the ads werenât a 'political' statement but a reflection of 'what the Victorian public feel.'
- The Guardian reported that tributes for Richard Scolyer included a permanent memorial by Sydneyâs Inner West council, with Mayor Darcy Byrne calling him a 'local hero.'
- The article mentioned a Newspoll showing One Nation at 31%, Labor at 30%, and the Coalition at 18%, with a 3.2-point margin of error.
- The Guardian included a statement from Richard Scolyerâs family thanking Australians for support during his battle with brain cancer.
- The ABC reported that Jacinta Allan said political debate had become 'corrosive' in recent years, with behavior once condemned now seen as 'just another part of life.'
- Federal deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume echoed Albanese and Allanâs statements, saying 'Sexism has no place in politics.'
- The Age reported that the billboards were funded by Puleo and 'other local business owners,' totaling $105,000.
- The Age mentioned that Gotham City brothel faced a drive-by shooting in April and legal issues in May, though these were not directly linked to the billboards.
- The Age included a quote from Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell supporting Allanâs statement on sexism in politics.
- SBS briefly summarized the story but did not provide additional unique details beyond the core facts.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and The Age report that the billboards have been circulating for about six weeks, but the exact duration is not confirmed by ABC or SBS.
- Franco Puleo denied the slogan was sexist, stating it reflected 'what the Victorian public feel,' while all other sources explicitly condemned it as sexist or misogynistic.
- The Guardian mentions a Newspoll showing One Nation at 31% and Labor at 30%, but this polling data is not repeated in ABC, The Age, or SBS.
Source Articles
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