Andrew Hastie Slams Pauline Hanson's Cartoon Mocking Jacqui Lambie's Medical Condition

Liberal frontbencher and SAS veteran Andrew Hastie has strongly condemned a cartoon released by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson that mocked independent Senator Jacqui Lambie's medical condition.

Lambie, a fellow veteran, had disclosed in August that she was undergoing surgery for a vaginal and bladder prolapse, a condition she stated developed as a result of an injury sustained during her army service. She had taken five months of leave for the procedure and recovery.

The 'Please Explain' video series, produced by One Nation, featured an animated Lambie complaining that she "can't laugh because of my prolapsed vagina." The cartoon depicted Lambie as opposing the government's proposed digital duty of care, intended to enhance online protections for children.

Speaking on ABC's Afternoon Briefing, Hastie labeled the cartoon "cheap, vulgar and nasty" and an example of "MAGA-style politics." He stated that while he has a sense of humor, making light of a fellow MP's or any individual's medical condition is inappropriate.

Hastie also referred to Hanson as a "hypocrite," recalling an instance where Hanson expressed anger over a joke made on an ABC program about Gina Rinehart, a mining tycoon and Hanson supporter. Hastie highlighted the perceived double standard in Hanson's reaction to jokes directed at Rinehart versus her own cartoon targeting Lambie.

Labor frontbencher Tim Ayres and independent MP Monique Ryan, a medical doctor, also joined in condemning the video. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher stated, "making fun of women's health concerns isn't satire. It's bullying."

Senator Hanson defended the cartoon, urging Lambie to "lighten up" and suggesting the cartoon was satirical. She also claimed the video might raise awareness about the condition, which affects a significant number of women.

However, Lambie criticized the cartoon and the One Nation leader, stating, "There are people out there hurting and, quite frankly, they don't need the nastiness." She suggested that individuals close to Hanson should encourage her to remove the cartoon.

Hanson had previously faced criticism for another cartoon in the series that labeled Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a "traitor." Lambie had responded to that by calling Hanson a "lying coward" and describing the cartoon series as "full of bloody violence."