And once again, Pauline Hanson is looking for attention.
Her cartoon series is called Please Explain. After its latest episode, that sounds less like a title and more like a reasonable request.
One Nation has mocked Senator Jacqui Lambie’s vaginal prolapse, turning a serious medical condition into a recurring joke.
Lambie disclosed her vaginal and bladder prolapse in the Senate in August, explaining that she had needed surgery and five months away from parliament. Speaking publicly about something so personal took courage.
Hanson’s response to the backlash? Defend the cartoon as satire and tell critics to take a chill pill.
Apparently, the Please Explain complaints department consists of a shrug and an imaginary pharmacy.
Let’s be clear: politicians should expect scrutiny. Lambie’s policies, votes and arguments are all legitimate targets for criticism, and comedy.
But what political insight do we gain from ridiculing her medical condition? Where’s the devastating exposure of hypocrisy? Where’s the argument?
Calling something satire doesn’t automatically make it clever. Otherwise, every schoolyard bully would qualify for an arts grant.
Lambie has explained that discussing her experience was intended to help other women feel less alone. She says speaking openly should not make someone a target for degradation.
She’s right.
When someone raises a sensitive health issue, public mockery risks telling everyone else with that condition: keep quiet, or you could be next.
That’s a miserable contribution to public life.
The backlash has crossed political boundaries. Anthony Albanese, Monique Ryan and Andrew Hastie have expressed support for Lambie or condemned the cartoon.
You don’t have to agree with Lambie on everything to recognise that she deserves basic dignity.
My view? Hanson should apologise and remove the medical mockery.
There are housing problems, household bills and government decisions crying out for sharp political comedy.
If One Nation needs material, Canberra provides it daily.
Lambie used her platform to make an uncomfortable conversation easier for other women. Hanson used hers to make it harder.
That deserves criticism, and no cartoon disguise makes it leadership.
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