The Australian state of Victoria has been mocked worldwide after creating an official government role titled Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change.
Labor Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Tuesday that MP Tim Richardson had been appointed to the position. In Victoria, parliamentary secretaries are government members who assist ministers with their portfolios.
“This is the first position of its kind in Australia – and will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships,” Ms Allan said.
Mr Richardson wrote on X: “I want to share with you some pretty big news. Premier Jacinta Allan has asked me to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change, a national first.
“We know that the time to act on men’s violence against women is now and it starts with us men and boys. We must make Victoria a safer place for women and children and work to end the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.
“This is the first position of its kind in Australia and will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships.”
But the appointment soon attracted mocking comments from Australia and around the globe, with many asking if the far-left state government could even define the word “man”.
“Hey Tim, quick few questions. Yes or no will suffice. Can men menstruate? Can men give birth? Look forward to your answers,” asked X user The Bryan Madigan.
Influential American account End Wokeness asked: “Cool. Who is the Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Behaviour? Immigrants? Trans?”
Australia-based US podcaster Elijah Schaffer compared Mr Richardson to an effeminate cartoon character.
“The only male behaviour you need to change is your diet and exercise routine. Very puffy, could just be too much drinking of soy infused beer and liquor,” he wrote.
“Australia has many real problems and soft, jiggly puff shaped men like you are a huge part of what’s wrong with this nation.”
We just appointed the first Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour in Australia
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) May 28, 2024
A comment made on Ms Allan’s announcement asked “will they look at why men are 70% of suicides?” and another linked to a Noticer News story about immigrant criminals.
“How many Parliamentary Secretaries for Refugee Behaviour in Australia?” The National Observer editor John Lawson asked.
Australian nationalist Blair Cottrell posted a copy of her X post on Telegram and with the caption: “Read: We now have a Secretary for Vilifying Men in Australia. And you’re paying for it.”
Sydney 2GB host Ben Fordham also objected to the appointment, saying on his breakfast show on Wednesday: “Most men don’t go around bashing women. We despise men who do, they are considered the lowest scumbags,.
“The Victorian premier is just leaning into this collective punishment, treating all men like the enemy instead of targeting the rotten bastards who harm women.”
