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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondent

‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss

Brad Battin Peter Marshall Jacinta Allan Julia Gillard Victoria UFU CFA Jaclyn Symes Tony Abbott Guardian Australia
Brad Battin standing on fire trucks
Brad Battin delivered a speech at the event but did not endorse slogans seen on other fire trucks. Photograph: Trevor Ryan

The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, and firefighters union boss, Peter Marshall, have sparked backlash after attending a rally in Melbourne’s west where the slogan “ditch the bitch” was emblazoned on a fire truck.

The phrase, apparently directed at the premier, Jacinta Allan, echoes the infamous “ditch the witch” poster that Tony Abbott stood in front of during a 2011 rally, which was widely condemned at the time as sexist and misogynistic towards the then prime minister Julia Gillard.

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