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4mo ago

‘Ditch the Witch’ Trucks Target Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan

The mobile ads reawaken a derogatory trope, raising questions about privately funded attack advertising before the November state election.

Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott addresses the crowd during a demonstration against the Australian Labor Governments proposed carbon tax outside Parliament House, Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, March 23, 2011. The carbon tax is part of Australia's bid to cut its greenhouse emissions but the protesters said the tax will add to their household bills and damage the economy. (AP Photo/Mark Graham)
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Ms Allan faces a tough fight when voters return to the polls. NewsWire / Brendan Beckett

Overview

  • Trucks carrying a doctored image of Premier Jacinta Allan and the slogan “Ditch the Witch” have been driven around Melbourne since May, with the displays reported to have run for about six weeks.
  • Allan called the campaign sexist and said it was part of a “secret and well‑funded political campaign,” urging the ads to be removed and warning about the effect on women in public life.
  • Reporting linked the roughly $105,000 campaign to local businesses and confirmed Melbourne brothel owner Franco Puleo admitted contributing while denying the slogan was sexist.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former prime minister Julia Gillard publicly condemned the ads as misogynistic, while some politicians including Pauline Hanson defended or downplayed the messaging and the state Opposition denied involvement.
  • The episode highlights how third‑party, privately funded mobile billboards complicate accountability for negative campaigning and could shape the tone and safety concerns of Victoria’s November election.