One Nation defends Penny Wong cartoons amid political safety debate

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has refused to remove animated cartoons depicting violence against Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. The party maintains the content is protected by free speech rights despite recent criticism from Labor and federal police.

The dispute follows a series of episodes in the Please Explain and Super Progressive Movie series. In a 2022 installment, the animation shows Wong being killed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is depicted stabbing her from behind. In a February release, Albanese beheads Wong with an axe while believing he is striking Hanson. Hanson then reveals she was hiding nearby, unharmed.

These visuals have drawn attention as Parliament addresses the safety of elected officials. This concern follows an alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines last week. Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett spoke on Sunday, linking heated political rhetoric, including these cartoons, to a rise in violent threats against politicians.

Wong criticized the party's decision to keep the material online. She stated that Australians deserve representatives who focus on improving lives rather than promoting division and personal attacks. A spokesperson for Hanson countered that the cartoons are unrelated to the Haines incident. Hanson argued that Labor and Liberal politicians want the content censored because they dislike the scrutiny it provides.

Mark Nicholson, the creator of the cartoons, declined to apologize on Monday. He is also a One Nation candidate in the upcoming Victorian state election. Nicholson told the ABC that public figures need a reality check. He argued that people in the public realm accept both praise and parody as the price of their position.

Warren Pickering, One Nation's Victorian leader, defended the series on Tuesday. He compared the animation style to classic Looney Tunes characters and said cartoons are an expression of free speech. Pickering admitted the material might not always be in good taste but claimed comedy helps draw attention to issues that are otherwise ignored.

Pickering suggested critics produce their own comedy from the other side of the political spectrum. He stated that the party knows Labor is a joke but wants to see if they can match the humor. The party has not announced plans to alter or remove the existing episodes.