Lidia Thorpe rebukes defiant Hanson over bus attack cartoon

Mark Nicholson, co-founder of Stepmates Studios and a One Nation candidate for the Victorian upper house, has refused to apologize to Senator Jacqui Lambie over a political cartoon that mocked her medical condition. The creator stated in an interview that he sees no reason to issue an apology at this time, asserting that public figures accept the consequences of their visibility. This refusal occurred amidst a broader controversy involving One Nation’s animated series, Please Explain, which has faced intense criticism for targeting female politicians. Nicholson, who runs the creative agency producing political content for the party, spoke to the television program 7.30 regarding the latest episode. The specific animation depicted a cartoon version of Lambie stating she could not laugh due to her vaginal prolapse. Lambie disclosed this health condition during a Senate speech in August. The release of the video triggered widespread outrage, prompting One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to initially defend the content. Hanson subsequently admitted she had not viewed the clip and apologized, describing it as not being as tastefully done as it could have been. However, Lambie noted that Hanson has not offered her a personal apology via email, message, or card. When pressed by reporters, Nicholson maintained that his role involves targeting individuals in the public sphere. He argued that powerful people require a reality check and that entering the public domain opens one up to both praise and parody. He denied trivializing the medical condition, suggesting instead that the cartoon drew significant attention to the issue. Despite the video having been removed from circulation, Nicholson declined to retract his stance or offer contrition. He stated that if he ever commits an act worthy of an apology, he will provide one, but not currently. Lambie expressed disbelief at Nicholson’s comments, declaring him unfit for Victorian parliament. She criticized his maturity and described his behavior as disgraceful, urging him to reconsider his approach. She further characterized One Nation’s online content as a low blow that causes division within the community. Lambie questioned Hanson’s leadership capabilities, arguing that a party leader should be aware of the content released under their banner. She stated that she would feel ashamed if she were in Hanson’s position given the lack of oversight. The controversy over the Lambie cartoon coincides with heightened tensions following an attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Haines was rammed by a car in the Victorian town of Wangaratta last Monday afternoon and remains in hospital recovering. Parliament paid tribute to Haines on Monday, with Speaker of the House Milton Dick reminding politicians of their responsibility to lead by example. The incident has intensified scrutiny of political rhetoric and its potential impact on safety. In a related dispute, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defended a separate cartoon depicting independent Senator Lidia Thorpe being run over by a bus. This defense came just days after the attack on Haines. Hanson appeared on radio station 2GB on Monday, refusing to apologize to Thorpe for the 2023 episode titled Under the Bus. She stated that the cartoons would not be removed, posting on X that they will not be going anywhere. Hanson dismissed criticisms by referring to the age of the specific Thorpe episode and criticizing Thorpe’s demeanor in parliament. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett urged politicians to speak carefully on Sunday, drawing a direct link between inflamed rhetoric and rising violent threats. When asked about a One Nation clip featuring the cartoon character Bluey driving down Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Barrett indicated there was a reaction to such examples. Hanson accused Barrett of deflecting responsibility for protecting Australians, citing instances where children have chanted violent slogans toward her. She argued that law enforcement officials are passing the buck for failing to ensure safety. Thorpe responded to Hanson’s defiance by accusing One Nation of leaving death threats against her unmoderated on its social media platforms for months. She stated that making light of violence, particularly against women, is unacceptable. Thorpe advised Hanson to reflect on the leadership qualities she is displaying and the nature of the jokes being made. She emphasized that while political disagreement is normal, joking about violence crosses a line. The series of controversies highlights a pattern of One Nation’s content strategy, which critics argue relies on mocking and dehumanizing political opponents. Previous episodes included labeling Coalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie a traitor for his testimony in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case against Nine Network. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce offered an apology to Hastie last month regarding that specific clip. Hanson has previously asserted that Liberal and Labor politicians seek censorship because they dislike scrutiny, claiming that free speech and debate are essential to democracy. Critics counter that the party’s business model involves vilifying targets, including Indigenous, Asian, and Muslim communities, alongside a persistent strain of misogyny. Hanson’s attendance record in the Senate has also been subject to criticism, with reports noting she has missed numerous days and votes. She has admitted to not attending estimates sessions, though her colleague Malcolm Roberts frequently attends to pursue conspiracy theories. With potentially more One Nation senators expected after the next election, observers suggest the party’s focus on provocative content rather than traditional parliamentary scrutiny poses risks to democratic accountability. The current situation leaves politicians navigating a delicate balance between defending their rights to expression and managing the real-world consequences of inflammatory digital content.