‘Get over it’: Hanson dismisses Lambie’s anger over crass cartoon attack on her health

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has condemned One Nation for making light of her struggles with vaginal prolapse, accusing One Nation of fostering hatred and spite, but Hanson has urged the independent senator to “have a laugh”.

Lambie was mocked in One Nation’s latest episode of its popular Please Explain cartoons, which serve as political ads and use humour to create lines of attack against Hanson’s critics. Last month, Lambie called Hanson a “bloody maggot” for controversially labelling Liberal MP Andrew Hastie a “traitor” in the cartoons.

In last week’s episode, the populist party depicted Lambie saying: “I can’t laugh because of my prolapsed vagina.” Lambie’s condition is a running joke in the episode about Labor’s digital duty of care bill, with her character clutching herself each time she gets worked up.

The episode recalled Lambie’s emotional speech in August in which she revealed she had a vaginal and bladder prolapse requiring surgery and five months of leave from parliament. Vaginal prolapse affects up to 50 per cent of women at some point in their lives. The condition can be caused by injury, pregnancy, childbirth or ageing and can disrupt everyday activities.

“Decent leaders don’t stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy. That’s exactly what [Hanson] is doing,” Lambie told ABC radio on Monday. She added that One Nation’s videos added “hatred” and “spitefulness” to public life.

“If you think it’s a laughable matter about women having problems with their reproductive system, then you be my guest and you stand by her … Seriously, enough is enough.”

The flare-up over the cartoon is the latest breakout of controversy for a norm-bending party that pushes the envelope of political discourse and is still in a commanding position as the dominant anti-Labor force, despite a minor polling dip in recent months.

Lambie, who is under pressure from One Nation in Tasmania, has leant into the public conversation on her condition. She has been selling satirical mugs to raise awareness.

“Unfortunately, even in this day and age, there is still so much stigma attached to the word vagina and female reproductive health,” Lambie said in a statement. “That shame and embarrassment can lead to women putting off getting help for too long.

“I’ve also seen commentary saying that because I spoke publicly about my health, it’s now ‘fair game’. No. Speaking openly is not an invitation to be mocked or degraded. We should be encouraging these conversations so people feel comfortable seeking help.”

Hanson responded to the criticism on Monday afternoon. Even though Lambie’s original speech was delivered for the purpose of raising awareness, Hanson suggested the cartoon might have “opened her eyes up” to the number of women suffering.

“Jacqui Lambie: get over it, OK? It is actually satirical,” Hanson told reporters.

“Have a bit of a laugh Jacqui and lighten up.”

Liberal MP Garth Hamilton said the “nasty party” behaviour is what would inevitably cost conservatives at election time and hand Albanese his third term.

“The right of politics needs to focus on getting rid of Labor,” Hamilton said. “Instead, One Nation are focused on making nasty, crass and vulgar attacks on anyone who dares to call them out. These are not the actions of a credible party or government. Pauline and Barnaby [Joyce] must apologise.”

Independent MP Monique Ryan and Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres have both rebuked Hanson over the cartoon.

“There’s tens of thousands of Australian women who battle with health conditions like this one,” Ayres told Nine’s Today show.

“To be smashed up by some cheap, nasty bit of political propaganda run out by Pauline Hanson … Jacqui’s also been turning up to do her job every day through excruciating pain.”

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said: “I haven’t seen this cartoon, but the idea that you would mock somebody for their health condition is despicable and really reveals the true character of One Nation. Their focus is not on the Australian people.”

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.