On June 6, 2026, a political rally in Sydney saw the re-emergence of the phrase 'Ditch the witch,' directed at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The chant, historically used against former Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2013, has been criticized as a sign of declining political discourse.
According to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and other verified sources, the rally was organized by a group opposing the government's climate policies. The chant was condemned by several political figures, including Greens leader Adam Bandt, who called it 'disrespectful and sexist.'
Prime Minister Albanese responded on June 7, stating that while he respects the right to protest, such language 'has no place in our democracy.' The incident has sparked debate about the tone of political debate in Australia, with commentators noting the return of a phrase that was widely criticized over a decade ago.
