One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is facing widespread criticism for a satirical cartoon mocking Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie’s struggle with vaginal prolapse, a medical condition Lambie publicly disclosed earlier this year. The cartoon, part of Hanson’s "Please Explain" series, portrays Lambie making a crude reference to her health issue, prompting backlash from politicians across the political spectrum.
Senator Lambie, an army veteran who took five months’ leave from parliament due to vaginal and bladder prolapse linked to injuries sustained during her military service, condemned the cartoon as degrading and harmful. She emphasized that speaking openly about such health conditions should not invite ridicule or mockery, noting the stigma that still surrounds female reproductive health. "Speaking openly is not an invitation to be mocked or degraded," Lambie stated, highlighting the importance of breaking down shame and encouraging women to seek help.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other politicians expressed support for Lambie. Albanese praised her courage and highlighted how her openness could inspire others facing similar issues. Independent Victorian MP Monique Ryan, among others, also criticized the cartoon, calling Lambie’s candidness “courage and honesty” and emphasizing the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse among Australian women.
In response, Hanson dismissed the criticism, describing the cartoon as satire and urging Lambie to "take a chill pill." Speaking from Tasmania, Hanson suggested that the cartoon might have brought awareness to the condition and urged Lambie to "have a bit of a laugh" and "lighten up." The comment drew further condemnation, with Labor Industry Minister Tim Ayres labeling it a "nasty style of politics" and a form of cheap political propaganda. Shadow Minister for Small Business Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also criticized the cartoon, stressing that personal health issues should not be ridiculed, especially by political leaders.
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between One Nation and other political figures. The cartoon series had previously targeted Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, calling him a "traitor" over his testimony in the defamation trial of accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith. Hastie, a former special forces soldier, defended Lambie and warned about One Nation’s political character, framing the party’s approach as a worrying development if they were to gain government influence.
The episode has also raised questions about free speech and regulation on social media platforms. While some Coalition members found the content offensive, they defended One Nation’s right to share the cartoon under free speech principles. Opposition Communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson acknowledged the video’s offensiveness but supported One Nation’s freedom of expression, noting that Labor’s proposed digital duty of care legislation might permit platforms to intervene, though the bill has not yet passed and remains dependent on support from the Greens.
The incident has highlighted the broader debate over political satire, respectful discourse, and the handling of sensitive health issues in the public arena.