Melbourne brothel owner among funders of ‘Ditch the Witch’ billboards against Allan

A Melbourne brothel owner has admitted helping to fund controversial “Ditch the Witch” advertisements criticising Premier Jacinta Allan, which numerous politicians have slammed as sexist and misogynistic.

Franco Puleo, owner of the Gotham City brothel in South Melbourne, said the $105,000 advertising campaign had been paid for by him and other local business owners. He disagreed that the slogan used was sexist.

“[Allan] doesn’t answer questions. She’s not accountable to everything … It’s just how people are feeling. That’s what they’re resorting to,” Puleo said. “That’s not a political ad. It’s basically what the Victorian public feel.”

Gotham City was the target of a drive-by shooting in April, believed to be connected with the city’s spate of attacks on hospitality venues. The venue has also faced its share of legal issues, including a court battle with Bendigo Bank last month.

The use of the slogan has been heavily criticised by Allan and MPs from both sides of politics, who called it out for sexism.

Trucks with billboards featuring the phrase, alongside images of Allan wearing a black pointed hat, have been travelling around Melbourne for about six weeks.

Allan condemned the use of the language in a social media post on Sunday afternoon, saying the ads were part of a secret and well-funded political campaign.

“The political debate in this country has become corrosive over the last few years,” the premier said. “So much so that behaviour which would once have been condemned is now just another part of life.

“People are entitled to disagree with me. That’s democracy. But I care that this attacks women. And I care about who’s next.

“I cannot stand back and let Victoria become a place where this sort of language is fair game against any woman at work – or any woman in leadership.”

The premier’s statement was met with support from Animal Justice Party state MP Georgie Purcell, who wrote in a comment on Allan’s post that sexism shouldn’t be used as a tool within political disagreement or debate.

“It makes all women and gender diverse people in public life – and everywhere – unsafe. Everybody has a responsibility to call it out, no matter our political views or criticisms of the government,” Purcell said.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard said she was “disgusted” by the billboards, in a statement posted to her own Instagram account on Sunday evening.

The same slogan was used against her 15 years ago during her time as leader and was widely condemned at the time, the statement said.

“I am saddened to see … this tired old trope resurrected. I’m also angry. Whoever funded the billboards bearing these signs should be outed for what they are – unimaginative, ugly sexists.”

The state opposition also denounced the use of language featured on the trucks, saying the posters hadn’t been endorsed or authorised by the Liberal Party.

“We don’t believe in that type of thing. We don’t condone that kind of behaviour … the government are the problem, not the individual,” opposition housing spokesman David Southwick said at a press conference on Sunday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, saying that sexist campaigns have no place in politics, no matter who you support.

A separate social media post from state Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny also criticised the campaign.

“Women in public life should not have to accept abuse and misogyny as part of the job. You can disagree with a politician. You can disagree with a government. That’s democracy. Reducing a woman to a sexist slur is not,” Kilkenny wrote.

At a different press conference on Sunday, recently appointed health minister Harriet Shing faced numerous questions about Allan’s leadership and the performance of the government. She was similarly disapproving of the slogan.

“In recent years we’ve seen this sort of … sexism take root in a way that’s become more personal, more angry and more divisive. It’s got absolutely no place in our political commentary. It should be condemned,” Shing said.

The state government declined to provide further comment after one of the people behind the billboards was identified.

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