A truck showcasing a digital billboard labelled "sexist" by the prime minister has been slapped with a defect notice by police.
Anthony Albanese denounced the "Ditch the Witch" advertisements targeting Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan in June after they first appeared on Melbourne streets in May.
The billboards - driven around the city on the sides of trucks - depict Ms Allan wearing a witch's hat next to the "Ditch the Witch" slogan.
Victoria Police confirmed an Isuzu truck was the subject of a defect notice in Melbourne earlier in July after a police investigation found the billboards did not meet regulatory standards.
"The defect notice follows an investigation into the addition of billboards to the vehicle that falls outside the standards of regulation," a spokesperson said.
The driver has been ordered to take the truck to the state's registration regulator, VicRoads, for inspection.
The investigation was sparked by a complaint made to police on April 16.
At the time of the complaint, the truck was reportedly displaying advertisements promoting a Melbourne brothel.
Gotham City brothel owner Franco Puleo said he had part-funded the advertising campaign against Ms Allan.
"(Allan) doesn't answer questions. She's not accountable to everything … It's just how people are feeling," Mr Puleo told The Age.
Mr Albanese in June warned personal attacks on members of parliament were harmful, hinting they could lead to political violence.
He drew a direct parallel to the abuse suffered by former prime minister Julia Gillard - who was targeted with the same slogan during her time in office - and said such behaviour had to stop.
"The sexist campaign targeting the Victorian premier is totally unacceptable and has no place in public life," Mr Albanese told reporters at the time.
"We want to encourage women to enter public life and it should be a contest of ideas, not personal attacks.
"You don't have to denigrate people in such a personal way. It has got to stop."
Ms Allan, who is contesting the Victorian election in November, previously denounced the billboards as sexist.
"I cannot stand back and let Victoria become a place where this sort of thing is fair game against any woman at work - or any woman in leadership," she said in a post on social media.
Spokespeople for the premier and the Victorian opposition have been contacted for comment.
