Jacqui Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her health struggle

Independent senator Monique Ryan joins criticism of Pauline Hanson's 'Please Explain' series over attack on veterans' health and political decency

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Updated19 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has strongly criticised a One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse, calling the attack a new low in political discourse that Australians doing it tough do not need. Senator Monique Ryan has condemned the cartoon as an attack on a brave woman who spoke out to destigmatise a common health condition.

The cartoon, part of Pauline Hanson's Please Explain series, targets the Albanese government's Digital Duty of Care legislation on online safety. It depicts Senator Lambie, an army veteran, saying 'I can't laugh because of my prolapsed vagina' before adding a crude sound effect ridiculing the condition.

Responding to the cartoon on Monday, Senator Lambie told ABC's RN that voters did not need any more 'nastiness' amid a cost-of-living crisis. 'I would have just thought that if those people, and especially those men in there, if they had any front whatsoever, what they do is ask her to remove that effective immediately,' she said. 'If you think it's a laughable matter about women having problems with their reproductive system then you be my guest, and you stand by her. But seriously, enough is enough.' She added that 'decent leaders don't stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy.'

Senator Lambie previously gave an emotional address in the Senate in August detailing her struggle with the condition and highlighting the lack of care faced by female veterans.

Senator Monique Ryan condemned the cartoon, saying Senator Lambie had shown 'courage and honesty in speaking of her experience of vaginal prolapse.' Ryan noted that pelvic organ prolapse affects about one in 12 Australian women and is often linked to physical strain, heavy lifting, or childbirth. 'One Jacqui Lambie is worth 1,000 Pauline Hansons,' Senator Ryan said.

The cartoon also targets Liberal MP and former special forces soldier Andrew Hastie, labelling him a 'traitor.' Hastie has been attacked by One Nation for testifying during the defamation trial of alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The incident tests the boundaries of acceptable political satire in Australia, particularly when targeting a senator's serious health disclosure made in parliament
It raises the question of whether public figures, especially female veterans, will be deterred from speaking openly about women's health issues if they risk public mockery
The attack highlights the escalating tone of crossbench and minor-party politics and the personal cost of political commentary under the guise of satire

Background

Jacqui Lambie is a crossbench senator from Tasmania and an army veteran known for her outspoken advocacy on veterans' affairs. Her August speech in the Senate about her prolapse was widely reported as a brave effort to destigmatise a common but rarely discussed women's health problem.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has a history of provocative political cartoons in its Please Explain series, often targeting politicians across the spectrum.

The attack on Liberal MP Andrew Hastie stems from his role in the defamation trial of former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, who has been charged over alleged murders of unarmed detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

Key Perspectives

Jacqui Lambie and Monique Ryan: The cartoon is an unacceptable and cruel attack. It mocks a health condition in a way that damages political discourse and discourages others from coming forward with their health struggles. Ryan contrasted the two politicians' contributions to public life. Pauline Hanson and One Nation: (Implicitly from the action of publishing the cartoon) The cartoon is a valid piece of political satire targeting the Digital Duty of Care legislation and its political supporters. Broader Political Observers: The controversy underscores deep divisions over national service and veteran identity, as well as ongoing debates about the line between robust satire and bullying in public life, with some questioning whether the personal attack undermines the point being made about the government's bill.

What to Watch

Whether One Nation issues a statement defending or apologising for the cartoon
The response from the Albanese government and the Opposition in the Senate
The potential for a formal censure motion or debate in the chamber this sitting week
Impact on the trajectory of the Digital Duty of Care bill and broader online safety debate

Sources

Jacqui Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse · Australia news | The Guardian
Jacqui Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse · World news | The Guardian
‘Enough is enough’: Lambie slams Hanson’s latest crass cartoon attack · The Age - Latest News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedJacqui Lambie condemned a One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse.Australia news | The Guardian: “Jacqui Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse.”
Reports differMonique Ryan is an independent senator.World news | The Guardian: “The independent senator Monique Ryan condemned the cartoon on Sunday”
Partly supportedRyan joined the criticism over an attack on veterans’ health and political decency.World news | The Guardian: “Pauline Hanson thinks that’s worth making fun of.”
Not in the sourcesLambie called the cartoon a new low in political discourse.
SupportedThe cartoon depicts Lambie saying, “I can't laugh because of my prolapsed vagina,” followed by a crude sound effect ridiculing the condition.World news | The Guardian: “It depicts Lambie, an army veteran, as saying “I can’t laugh because of my prolapsed vagina” before adding a crude sound effect ridiculing the health condition.”
SupportedOn Monday, Lambie said voters facing a cost-of-living crisis did not need more “nastiness”.World news | The Guardian: “Responding to the cartoon on Monday, Lambie said voters doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis didn’t need any more “nastiness”.”
SupportedLambie said the men involved should ask Hanson to remove the cartoon immediately.World news | The Guardian: ““I would have just thought that if those people, and especially those men in there, if they had any front whatsoever, what they do is ask her to remove that effective immediately,” she told ABC’s RN.”
SupportedLambie said, “If you think it's a laughable matter about women having problems with their reproductive system then you be my guest, and you stand by her. But seriously, enough is enough.”World news | The Guardian: ““If you think it’s a laughable matter about women having problems with their reproductive system then you be my guest, and you stand by her. But seriously, enough is enough.””
SupportedLambie said, “decent leaders don't stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy.”World news | The Guardian: “Speaking about Hanson, Lambie said “decent leaders don’t stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy”.”
SupportedRyan said Lambie showed “courage and honesty in speaking of her experience of vaginal prolapse.”World news | The Guardian: “Lambie had shown “courage and honesty in speaking of her experience of vaginal prolapse”.”
SupportedRyan said pelvic organ prolapse affects about one in 12 Australian women.World news | The Guardian: ““Pelvic organ prolapse – bladder or vaginal – affects about 1 in 12 Australian women.”
SupportedRyan said, “One Jacqui Lambie is worth 1,000 Pauline Hansons.”World news | The Guardian: ““One Jacqui Lambie is worth 1,000 Pauline Hansons,” Ryan said.”