Victorian ALP secretary Steve Staikos defends Peter Dutton meme post

·

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese intervened after a controversial social media post by the Victorian ALP targeting Peter Dutton and his wife, Kirilly, was deemed inappropriate.

The post, which featured a manipulated newspaper image from 2019 with a quote from Ms Dutton saying, “He is not a monster,” was criticised as a personal attack.

The post, shared by the Victorian ALP’s social media at around 11am on Monday, December 30, was accompanied by the caption, “We all know that one couple,” making light of Ms Dutton’s comments about her husband.

The post sparked outrage, with Mr Dutton calling on Albanese and the Labor Party to respect his family and avoid personal attacks.

“I can assure you: the Liberal Party I lead will not be targeting Jodie Haydon,” Mr Dutton said in a statement, referring to Albanese’s fiancée. “I respect and like Jodie, but she is not an elected official and will not be the subject of humiliation, attack ads or public smear by the Liberal Party.”

In response to the backlash, Albanese’s office quickly ordered the post to be removed, with a spokesperson stating, “When the tweet was drawn to his attention, the Prime Minister demanded it be taken down. Families should be off-limits.”

Victorian ALP secretary Steve Staikos defended the post, insisting it was “not a personal attack at all,” but rather a “comedic meme.” When questioned about whether the image had been altered, Staikos disagreed, saying he did not believe it had been doctored.

However, the post was widely criticised by opposition members. Senator James Paterson, the opposition’s home affairs spokesman, labelled the post as “grubby gutter politics from a desperate government slipping in the polls.”

The incident comes amid plummeting poll numbers for Labor in Victoria, where recent figures show the Coalition has drawn level with Labor for the first time. Labor’s primary vote in the state has fallen to 30%, reflecting a nearly 5% swing against the government since the 2022 federal election.

With tensions running high ahead of the 2025 federal election, the controversy highlights the increasingly personal nature of the campaign.

Source: The Australian.

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

The Greek Herald finalists lead the way in 2025 Greek International Women Awards

The Greek Herald’s own Dimitra Skalkos and Andriana Simos are finalists in the 2025 Greek International Women Awards.

Football Victoria honours South Melbourne FC legend Michalis Mandalis

The new Football Victoria Chair Angela Williams paid tribute to former footballer and long-time South Melbourne FC legend Michalis Mandalis.

Greek Orthodox community in Liverpool raises $20,000 for McGrath Foundation

The spirit of faith, community and compassion was on full display at the “Splash of Pink” charity afternoon tea.

WWII-era rifle used in Croydon Park shooting sparks firearm law debate

A WWII-era M1 Carbine rifle has become the focus of investigations into the Croydon Park shooting. Read more here.

PASOK intensifies pressure for reopening of GNTO Office in Melbourne

Pressure on Greece's Ministry of Tourism to reopen the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) Office in Melbourne is intensifying.

You May Also Like

Faith and tradition converge at Cappadokia Dance Workshop in Sydney

The Cappadokia Workshop brought faith and tradition together as part of the 3rd Zeibekiko Festival Australia.

TikToker ordered to pay $20,000 in Sue Chrysanthou-led defamation case

TikTok influencer Amelia Findlay has been ordered to pay $20,000 in damages for defaming University of Sydney student Bearte McDonald.

Melbourne locals fear Preston Market could be demolished for new apartments

Jim Katsaros has run Athina's Deli for 10 years and comes to the Preston Market almost every day since arriving in Australia from Greece as an 11-year-old boy.