Julia Gillard ‘disgusted’ by ‘ditch the witch’ ads targeting Victorian premier
Former prime minister Julia Gillard issued a rare political comment after a Melbourne brothel owner admitted to funding advertisements targeting Victoria premier Jacinta Allan using the phrase “Ditch the Witch”.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the billboards were paid in part by Franco Puleo, who told the paper the ads weren’t a “political” statement, but a reflection of “basically what the Victorian public feel”.
Gillard said she was “disgusted” to see the phrase used again after being subject to it herself.
double quotation markThis was a slogan used against me as prime minister fifteen years ago.
It was roundly condemned then. In the years since, my view has been that things were slowly improving for women in politics. More women are leading, sexism hasn’t gone away but it is less ferocious in the political mainstream, though social media continues to be a toxic sewer.
I am saddened to see that improvement cast aside and this tired old trope resurrected.
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Updated at 17.55 EDT
Key events
Scolyer a ‘man of warmth and hope’, NSW premier says
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, says Richard Scolyer was a “great Australian, a pioneering scientist, and an inspiring example of grace in his final years”.
The premier said in a statement this morning:
double quotation markBecause of Richard’s brilliant research, advanced Melanoma went from a death sentence to a curable disease. As a result of that breakthrough, in a country with the highest melanoma rates on earth, thousands of Australians are alive today. …
After being diagnosed with brain cancer, Australians got to know Richard as a man of warmth and hope. He faced his disease with optimism, with a smile, and with a deep sense of purpose. Just a few months ago, living with stage four brain cancer, he was still riding his bike through Tasmania, raising money for a cure.
In the end, life is the ultimate legacy. And thanks to Richard Scolyer, Australians have been given more life, more time, more hope.
Chris Minns. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShare
Updated at 18.43 EDT
Tributes keep pouring in for Richard Scolyer
Sydney’s Inner West council says it will create a permanent memorial to Prof Richard Scolyer, saying the council had lost “one of our greatest citizens” and a “local hero”.
Darcy Byrne, the mayor, said Scolyer’s legacy “will be measured in the lives that he has saved, it is his brave and tender spirit that we will all miss”, adding in a statement:
double quotation markThe selflessness and compassion with which Professor Scolyer approached his own very sad diagnosis touched the hearts of everyone in the Inner West and people across the nation. …
Through his work and his example, Richard gave our people hope that we can keep walking forward through adversity. In doing so he has become a legend, whose story will be handed down from generation to generation.
No doubt Richard’s life’s work will inspire young Australians to serve the public and our nation in the decades to come.
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Older Australians seeking new RSV vaccine for dangerous illness
Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leaders warn the common winter illness is far more dangerous than “just a bad cold”.
During RSV Awareness Week there’s a fresh push from the Australian Medical Association and the Immunisation Foundation of Australia for older Australians and pregnant women to add the vaccination to their winter protection plan.
The virus can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in babies, older Australians and people with underlying conditions.
“Too many people still think RSV is just a bad cold, but for some Australians it can be far more serious than that,” the association’s president Danielle McMullen said.
RSV vaccines have been added to the national immunisation program, with free jabs now available for people 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.
– AAP
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Updated at 18.12 EDT
Julia Gillard ‘disgusted’ by ‘ditch the witch’ ads targeting Victorian premier
Former prime minister Julia Gillard issued a rare political comment after a Melbourne brothel owner admitted to funding advertisements targeting Victoria premier Jacinta Allan using the phrase “Ditch the Witch”.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the billboards were paid in part by Franco Puleo, who told the paper the ads weren’t a “political” statement, but a reflection of “basically what the Victorian public feel”.
Gillard said she was “disgusted” to see the phrase used again after being subject to it herself.
double quotation markThis was a slogan used against me as prime minister fifteen years ago.
It was roundly condemned then. In the years since, my view has been that things were slowly improving for women in politics. More women are leading, sexism hasn’t gone away but it is less ferocious in the political mainstream, though social media continues to be a toxic sewer.
I am saddened to see that improvement cast aside and this tired old trope resurrected.
Share
Updated at 17.55 EDT
King’s Birthday top honours awarded
Caitlin Cassidy
The former leader of the Australian Democrats Natasha Stott Despoja has been appointed a companion of the Order of Australia on the King’s birthday honours roll, alongside the former Liberal premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman and Australian-American mathematician Prof Terence Tao.
The acclaimed radio presenter and political correspondent Fran Kelly has been appointed officer for distinguished service to broadcast journalism, the advancement of social justice and equality and for advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Lauded writer Gerald Murnane has also been appointed an officer of the order of Australia, as have former NSW premier Morris Iemma and SA premier Robert Kerin. Pat Turner, the convener of the Coalition of Peaks – the body which overseas the Closing the Gap goals – and the longest-serving CEO of the now defunct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Commission, has also been appointed.
Read more here.
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Prime minister pays tribute to Richard Scolyer
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to Prof Richard Scolyer this morning, saying Australia has lost “our brightest lights and one of our biggest hearts”.
Albanese said in a statement:
double quotation markEvery day, this remarkable man – the cancer specialist who became his own subject – took us into his confidence, and he lifted us all in the process.
Richard’s journey was difficult and confronting. “My uncertain path”, as he termed it with characteristic understatement.
Yet it was one he travelled with courage, determination, and a grace that never ceased to be remarkable. The way he shared it with us was an act of profound generosity. He showed us what it means to hope, and to keep searching for solutions. He showed us how to stand firm against fear and stay true to yourself.
Now Richard’s journey is done, yet his legacy will always be with us.
Richard Scolyer. Photograph: James Gourley/The GuardianShare
Updated at 17.21 EDT
Vale Richard Scolyer
Prof Richard Scolyer, the world-renowned cancer researcher and former Australian of the year, has died at the age of 59.
Scolyer’s family shared a statement the eminent pathologist and melanoma expert penned before his final stages of illness.
“My final message to all Australians is to say thank you for your outpouring of love and support for me and my family,” Scolyer said in the statement.
“Those of you I met during my travels as joint 2024 Australian of the Year, my amazing online community which spans many countries, and of course my hometown Tasmanians – you’ve laughed with me, cried with me, and provided encouragement and support to keep going just when I needed it most,” he said.
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One Nation support surpasses Labor in Newspoll
Support for Anthony Albanese has slumped while One Nation has edged ahead of Labor as the country’s most popular political party in a Newspoll published by The Australian.
The survey showed a four-point rise in One Nation’s primary vote to 31% while Labor dipped one point to 30% and the Coalition gave up two points to 18%.
The Newspoll also registered a one-point decline for the Greens to 11% while backing for those in the “others” category – minor parties and independents – remained unchanged on 10 per cent.
The survey sampled 1,240 voters online, has a 3.2-point margin of error and was conducted between Monday and Thursday last week.
It echoes the results of a Redbridge Group/Accent Research poll published a week ago that had One Nation on 31%, Labor on 28% and the Coalition on 20%.
– AAP
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to Monday’s coverage of the day’s news.
Scientist and former Australian of the year Richard Scolyer has died after a lengthy public battle with brain cancer. He was 59.
Today is the King’s Birthday public holiday in the ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, with top honours to mark the day awarded to Natasha Stott Despoja, Will Hodgman and Terence Tao.
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