
Pauline Hanson to change One Nation cartoon mocking vaginal prolapse
Pauline Hanson has apologised for a One Nation cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie's vaginal prolapse and says the video will be changed.
The One Nation leader says she was not aware of the cartoon's content before it went up but has committed to "taking a closer look" in the future.
Pauline Hanson apologised for a One Nation cartoon that mocked Senator Jacqui Lambie's vaginal prolapse, saying she had not seen it before it was posted.
Senator Lambie had revealed the condition in an emotional August speech defending veterans' access to subsidised healthcare, which required surgery and five months off work.
Hanson has asked the cartoon's creator to amend it and said she will take a closer look at future videos bearing her name before they go up.
Vaginal and bladder prolapse affects many women and often goes undiscussed; Senator Lambie's original speech highlighted that veterans can access subsidised treatment for the condition.
Pauline Hanson has apologised for the One Nation cartoon mocking independent senator Jacqui Lambie's vaginal prolapse, stating it will be changed following widespread criticism.
In August, Senator Lambie delivered an emotional speech defending veterans' access to subsidised healthcare during which she revealed she had previously dealt with vaginal and bladder prolapse.
The condition had required surgery and five months of leave from parliament.
Over the weekend, the latest "Please Explain" satirical cartoon mocked the army veteran's medical condition, with several politicians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, condemning the episode.
The One Nation leader has apologised for the video, admitting she had to be alerted to its content, and that it was not "tastefully" executed.
"The video went up without my actually seeing it, and I was not aware of the content of the video," she told News24 today.
"I respect people's views and opinions out there, and it wasn't as tastefully done as it could've been and I do apologise for that."
Senator Hanson said she has spoken to its creator and asked the episode to be amended.
It is a change in tone from Senator Hanson's remarks yesterday, when she insisted the video was satirical and Senator Lambie should "get over it".
Asked whether the cartoon was appropriate, Senator Hanson had said it helped raise awareness of women's health issues and that Senator Lambie should not take it "to heart".
The Tasmanian senator criticised the One Nation videos as spiteful, arguing real leaders "don't stir up hatred".
However, she did not directly demand One Nation remove the video, instead putting the onus on Senator Hanson's team to act.
Senator Hanson said she would take a "closer look" at future videos, acknowledging she has to "take responsibility" for content bearing her name.
Politicians condemn Lambie video
Politicians across the political divide sent messages of support to Senator Lambie, with several leaving comments on her social media.
Mr Albanese thanked Senator Lambie for her courage in divulging such personal details in an attempt to help others.
Independent senator David Pocock said such courage deserved "respect, not ridicule" and praised the veteran for challenging stigma around the condition.
The shadow minister for small business, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said the condition, often linked to physical strain, heavy lifting or past childbirth, should not be made light of.
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said mocking the condition was "beneath contempt".
"Jacqui's courage gives voice to thousands of women who might otherwise suffer in silence. Ridiculing her disrespects every one of them," she wrote on social media.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy called for the video to be taken down.
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who last month slammed One Nation for a cartoon that repeatedly described him as a "traitor", also called for it to be removed.
"I think the double standard is ridiculous. It's a cheap, nasty and vulgar attack on Jacqui Lambie's health condition and if she had any decency, she would apologise and pull it down," he told ABC.
Mr Hastie also questioned whether taxpayer funds would be used to roll out cartoons to attack One Nation's political opponents if the party won government.
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