Tasmania’s former Labor leader, Dean Winter, has come under fire following accusations of inciting misogynistic comments against the state’s racing minister, Jane Howlett, through a Facebook post. The controversy erupted after Winter shared a video in the Facebook group, Save Greyhound Racing in TAS, which was created in response to the government’s decision to defund the greyhound racing industry.
On October 4, 2023, during a session of Question Time, Winter posted a video of Howlett’s speech, captioned, “This morning, I asked Jane Howlett about when she knew about the shutdown of the greyhound racing industry and if she supported it.” By the afternoon, the post had garnered numerous angry comments, including derogatory slurs and even death threats directed at Howlett.
Howlett raised the issue in parliament later that day, asserting that Winter’s post was designed to incite hostility towards her. “A video was uploaded to a specific Facebook post at lunchtime to incite comments against me,” she stated. Independent Member of Parliament Kristie Johnston echoed these concerns, suggesting that if Winter could not control the comments on his page, he should reconsider what he posts. She noted, “While he was not necessarily being derogatory himself, he should be mindful about what was said.”
In his defense, Winter claimed that he merely shared the video of Howlett’s own words. “It is a five-minute video of what the Minister for Racing said today in Question Time,” he explained. Nevertheless, the following morning, the Facebook post and its offensive comments remained visible, attracting criticism from multiple lawmakers. Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff called for accountability, stating, “When we are told that anything we have done on our Facebook page has got vile and misogynistic comments, we should take them down.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff condemned the online comments as “cruel, heartless, and very threatening,” calling the commentary “absolutely unacceptable.” Winter subsequently clarified that he did not endorse the threatening remarks, insisting that online abuse is intolerable for everyone. “All of us have been subjected to online abuse and it is not OK,” he told parliament.
Outside the parliamentary proceedings, Labor Leader Josh Willie shared that the comments on Winter’s post had been disabled, confirming, “I strongly condemn the comments.” An administrator from the Save Greyhound Racing in TAS group also reminded members to be “respectful,” emphasizing the need for positivity in their discussions.
This incident highlights a broader issue within Australian politics, where both major parties have faced scrutiny for allowing unmoderated attacks on social media. During the recent election, Winter himself faced significant online abuse, particularly in comments on posts from the Liberal Party.
In parliament, Labor MP Meg Brown criticized her colleagues for their lack of support for fellow Labor member Ella Haddad, who had also been subjected to online harassment. Brown asked, “Where was your support for her when she was getting the exact same posts? You’re a disgrace on that side if you don’t think she deserves the same support.”
Media studies professor at Sydney University Catharine Lumby remarked on the responsibility of political leaders regarding social media. She stated, “We should expect our political leaders and other people in positions of authority and leadership to demonstrate what civilised exchanges look like.” Lumby highlighted that while legal measures are available, the ethical responsibility lies with elected officials like Winter to avoid sharing content that may lead to toxic discussions.
Moreover, she pointed out that social media platforms should monitor comments effectively, although politicians also have a duty to manage the discourse surrounding their posts. “The evidence is in; social media at its worst amplifies traditional forms of hatred towards women and other marginalized groups,” Lumby added.
Tasmania Police have confirmed that they are reviewing the situation and are aware of the content of Winter’s post, indicating that there may be further developments in this unfolding story.
