Two Bendigo-based politicians are leaping to the defence of former Premier Jacinta Allan.
Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters and State MP for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards have both made public statements criticising the “relentless personal attacks” toward their Labor Party ally.
Speaking to Gold Central Victoria, Ms Chesters didn’t mince words.
“It’s a tough time for women to be in politics and the level of misogyny and nastiness and, quite frankly, the disrespect that she [Jacinta Allan] has faced as Premier, we haven’t seen since Julia Gillard was Prime Minister,” Ms Chesters told our newsroom.
“And to me, that says we’ve still got a long way to go to ensure that women and men are treated equally in all spheres of life.”
So when does a comment stray from being genuine criticism to being vitriol?
We put that question to Ms Chesters, who said “when it goes personal” and the people who make those comments “stop talking about the issues”.
She also took aim at the people she labels “keyboard warriors” who share and post comments “they’d never say in the street or to a neighbour”.
“They hide behind the keyboard and their computer screens… And it creates a very toxic, very nasty environment,” Ms Chesters said.
“And equally, there are people of other political parties and other political persuasions who don’t focus on the issues, or have that policy debate or that genuine debate around the direction of our country or our state and instead, go nasty and go personal.”
Her comments echo those of Ms Edwards in a statement released on Tuesday, July 30th which paid tribute to her neighbouring state MP and friend.
“The relentless personal attacks directed at Jacinta have been appalling and deserve to be called out,” Ms Edwards said.
“Across social media – and too often amplified by parts of the media – we have seen misinformation, distortion, manufactured outrage and personal cruelty masquerading as legitimate scrutiny. It is not.
“We teach our children to treat others with dignity and respect, and we should expect no less from our public debate.”
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