Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her health condition

Jacqui Lambie, an independent senator from Tasmania, on Monday 19 October condemned a cartoon from Australia's right-wing One Nation party that mocks her health condition, vaginal prolapse. The cartoon is part of party leader Pauline Hanson's "Please Explain" series and has already drawn criticism from another senator.

What the cartoon shows

The latest instalment targets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government over its Digital Duty of Care legislation, which deals with online safety. It depicts Lambie, an army veteran, saying she cannot laugh because of her condition, and adds a crude sound effect ridiculing it.

In August, Lambie gave an emotional address in the Senate about her own experience with the women's health issue and the lack of access to care faced by other female veterans.

Reactions

Speaking to ABC's RN, Lambie said voters struggling through a cost-of-living crisis did not need more "nastiness". She said One Nation members should have asked Hanson to remove the cartoon immediately, and argued that "decent leaders don't stir up hatred".

Independent senator Monique Ryan condemned the cartoon on Sunday, saying Lambie had shown courage and honesty in speaking about her experience. Ryan noted that pelvic organ prolapse affects about 1 in 12 Australian women and is often linked to physical strain, heavy lifting or past childbirth.

Attack on Hastie

The cartoon also repeats the claim that Liberal MP and former special forces soldier Andrew Hastie is a "traitor". One Nation has attacked Hastie for testifying in the defamation trial of Ben Roberts-Smith, who stands accused of war crimes. Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, has been charged over five alleged murders of unarmed detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. He denies the allegations.