The Warringah independent Zali Steggall has called on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and the Liberal MP for Warringah, Tony Abbott, to distance themselves from a sexualised video created by conservative group Advance Australia.
The video featured “Captain GetUp”, a character created by Advance Australia, rubbing up against Steggall’s face on a poster created by Advance Australia, which shows Steggall photoshopped next to Shorten.
“I think there is a level of sexualisation with that, which is inappropriate,” Steggall told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“There is no place for that kind of behaviour in the 21st century. It is disrespectful, it’s inappropriate.”
The video has set off a storm on Twitter, and calls for apologies.
Again, @TonyAbbottMHR and @ScottMorrisonMP, you accept Advance Australia’s support. Does Captain GetUp represent your values? #womenvote #respectwomen #warringahvotes #auspol https://t.co/LnHq4A2YFi
— Zali Steggall (@zalisteggall) April 15, 2019
The director of Advance Australia, Gerard Benedet, has said the video was posted in error. It appeared on the official “Captain GetUp” account, which is controlled by Advance Australia.
Seriously, can @TonyAbbottMHR direct his Advance Australia attack dogs not to rub up against photos of his political opponent? pic.twitter.com/aBQJR4fu8T
— Matt Burke (@matttburke) April 14, 2019
Advance Australia says it does not support specific candidates, but has been set up to protect conservative values from the growing influence of leftwing groups such as GetUp.
On its website a video proclaims that it is there to protect western values from the growing influence of the left and to protect democratic values. It says it represents “mainstream Australia”.
The group was founded by wealthy business leaders including the “storage king” Sam Kennard, the former ABC chairman Maurice Newman and the Australian Jewish Association’s Dr David Adler.
GetUp is understood to be seeking legal advice on whether the use of its GetUp logo and name on Captain GetUp contravenes any laws designed to protect trade marks, or amounts to misleading conduct by Advance Australia.
