Politicians Targeted with Vile Abuse Following Social Media Condemnation
Female politicians in Australia are facing a fresh wave of online abuse, with NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane revealing she received dozens of 'pretty hateful' messages on social media platform X. The disturbing development comes after both Sloane and federal MP Allegra Spender publicly condemned Saturday's neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament.
Graphic Threats and Political Backlash
The alleged messages directed at the politicians included death threats and particularly vile content, with one message reportedly calling for someone to 'rhetorically rape' the federal MP. NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the situation with reporters, describing the threats as 'another example of what particularly women in public life have to put up with'.
Minns also took the opportunity to reject any suggestion of a 'double standard' in how authorities handle far-right demonstrations compared with pro-Palestine activism, emphasising the government's consistent approach to maintaining public order.
Broader Context of Political Violence
This incident highlights the increasing challenges faced by women in politics, particularly those who take strong public stands on controversial issues. The threats emerged following a neo-Nazi gathering that had already raised concerns about the rise of extremist elements in Australian political discourse.
Both politicians have demonstrated resilience in the face of this abuse, continuing their work while security concerns are appropriately addressed. The situation has sparked broader conversations about online safety for public figures and the need for social media platforms to more effectively combat hate speech and threats of violence.
