One Nation leader defends controversial cartoon amid criticism from Senator Thorpe

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defended a cartoon that shows independent Senator Lidia Thorpe being run over by a bus, despite criticism from the senator and calls for the image to be removed. The controversy follows a recent car-ramming incident involving independent MP Helen Haines.

In a Monday interview with radio station 2GB, Hanson said she would not apologise for the 2023 cartoon episode, describing it as satirical and stating that the images would not be taken down. She also accused AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett of deflecting responsibility for protecting Australians, referencing threats made against her.

"Look, this woman’s on the floor of parliament … You should see the hatred coming out of her mouth," Hanson said.

"You’ve got kids out there on streets with ‘kill Pauline Hanson’. ‘I hate Pauline Hanson’, ‘shoot Pauline Hanson’. What does the commissioner do about that? Absolutely nothing," Hanson added.

Senator Thorpe responded, urging Hanson to consider the example she sets and emphasizing that jokes about violence, especially against women, are unacceptable.

"Making light of violence, particularly against women in this country, is a problem. It’s not something anyone should be joking about," Thorpe told the publication.

Thorpe also said she had reported multiple death threats posted on One Nation’s social media pages that remained unmoderated for months, calling for greater accountability.

AFP Commissioner Barrett earlier urged politicians to speak carefully, linking inflammatory content to an increase in violent threats. The speaker of the House, Milton Dick, reminded parliamentarians of their responsibility to lead by example and to engage in respectful disagreement.

The incident occurs as parliament pays tribute to MP Helen Haines, who is recovering in hospital after being struck by a car in Wangaratta.