Victorian MP condemns normalisation of misogyny in politics following billboards targeting Premier

Victorian upper house MP Georgie Purcell has published an opinion piece in The Guardian condemning the increasing acceptance of misogyny within Australian political discourse. Purcell, who represents the Animal Justice Party, argues that the normalisation of sexist abuse threatens democratic diversity and contributes to a broader culture of gendered violence.

Purcell details her daily experience of filtering thousands of abusive comments using a social media protection app. She describes a routine of reviewing messages for death threats, wishes of sexual violence, and threats against her family, noting that the abuse has intensified since she became a mother six months ago.

The opinion piece specifically criticises the use of "ditch the witch" billboards targeting Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Purcell emphasises that she has been one of Allan’s most vocal critics, having fiercely opposed the Premier’s decisions. However, she maintains that reducing female leaders to sexist slurs is not legitimate political criticism and does not hold them to account.

Drawing a parallel to the abuse directed at former Prime Minister Julia Gillard over a decade ago, Purcell notes a shift in the current political landscape. She highlights that Victoria’s parliament now has more women than men, with a gender-equal cabinet and both the Premier and Opposition Leader being women. Despite this progress, she warns against allowing abusive rhetoric to become normalised again.

Purcell links the deterrent effect of political misogyny to wider societal issues, citing that at least 29 women have died from gendered violence in Australia this year. She argues that when sexist abuse is excused as political commentary, it diminishes the humanity of women and girls, ultimately threatening the safety and participation of all women in public life.