Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie revealed on October 26, 2026, that Pauline Hanson has not offered a personal apology for an animated cartoon that mocked her medical condition, as political leaders across Australia continue to condemn the video.
Senator Lambie revealed her health struggle during an emotional speech in the Senate in August to highlight veterans’ healthcare needs. Vaginal prolapse affects up to 50 per cent of women at some point in their lives, stemming from injury, childbirth, or aging. The controversy centers on a recent episode of the Please Explain cartoon series produced for One Nation, which depicted the Tasmanian senator clutching herself and uttering a crude reference to her vaginal and bladder prolapse.
Mark Nicholson Defends Political Parody and Refuses to Apologize
As a co-founder of Stepmates Studios and a One Nation candidate, Mr Nicholson defended the satirical content. The creator of the animated video, Mark Nicholson, has declined to offer an apology.
People who are powerful need to get a reality check. If you’re in the public realm, you open yourself up to praise, but you also open yourself up to parody. That’s the price you pay.
Mark Nicholson, Stepmates Studios co-founder and One Nation candidate
Mr Nicholson asserted that the studio did not trivialize the condition, claiming instead that they had drawn quite a lot of attention to it. He added that he would only apologize if he ever did something apology-worthy
.
Senator Lambie sharply criticized the creator behind the video during her remarks to the public broadcaster. She stated that the individual responsible does not comprehend women’s issues whatsoever. Independent MP Zali Steggall also condemned the cartoons, describing them as revolting and criticizing the political rhetoric surrounding them.
Pauline Hanson Reverses Position After Defending Initial Episode
Party leader Pauline Hanson initially defended the cartoon, telling critics on October 19, 2026, to have a bit of a laugh, Jacqui, and lighten up
and asserting that the video might have opened eyes to women’s health issues. By Tuesday, Senator Hanson reversed her position.
She conceded that she had not actually seen the video before publication and admitted it was not as tastefully done as it could have been. Senator Hanson stated she had asked the creator to change the video and accepted responsibility because the series bears her name.
Federal Politicians Express Outrage Across Multiple Parties
Anthony Albanese praised Senator Lambie’s courage, leaving a message of support on her Instagram statement thanking her for helping others. Independent senator David Pocock also voiced support online.
Federal politicians from multiple parties expressed outrage over the animated broadcast. Liberal MP Garth Hamilton argued that the style of behavior displayed by the party represents the sort of tactics that will cost conservatives at election time and hand the current government another term in office. Mr Hamilton asserted that the political right needs to concentrate its efforts on removing Labor from power. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who previously faced attacks in the same cartoon series, also criticized the productions after being labeled a traitor.
- Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres condemned the video as a cheap, nasty bit of political propaganda.
- Shadow minister for small business Jacinta Nampijinpa Price stated that leaders in the country should not ridicule personal issues.
- Liberal MP Garth Hamilton argued that such behavior hurts conservative electoral prospects, demanding an apology from Senator Hanson and Barnaby Joyce.
- Independent MP Monique Ryan noted that pelvic organ prolapse affects about 1 in 12 Australian women.
Jacqui Lambie Criticizes Leadership Standards
Senator Lambie expressed disbelief that Senator Hanson had not contacted her personally to apologize. She questioned her colleague’s leadership credentials, noting that a party leader should know what is being published under her name.
Decent leaders don’t stir up hatred, pushing us towards bloody anarchy. That’s exactly what [Hanson] is doing.
Senator Jacqui Lambie, independent senator for Tasmania
The animated series has previously targeted other high-profile figures, including Liberal MP and former SAS soldier Andrew Hastie, whom the cartoons branded a traitor
over his testimony concerning military conduct in Afghanistan. While the cartoon referencing Senator Lambie’s medical condition remains active on X and YouTube, discussions regarding its alteration continue alongside debates over the tone of Australian political discourse.