When new One Nation member Luke Herdegen takes his seat in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the first time on Tuesday, a creative protest will take place outside Parliament House.
The new MP will be greeted with a workout-themed “Bro-Test” on the steps of Parliament. The protest has been organised by women who were offended by comments Herdegen made during his election campaign, when he reportedly described domestic violence as an issue that was not relevant in his region. The comments followed remarks by federal One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who described domestic violence as a “two-way street”.
The event, known as the Bro-Test, deliberately mirrors the push-up demonstrations staged by supporters of Andrew Tate outside a detention facility in Miami. Participants are expected to perform a variety of exercises on the steps of Parliament in gym attire for approximately 45 minutes before the Legislative Assembly sits at 1pm.
Organisers describe the protest as an example of “tactical frivolity”, saying the absurdity is intentional.
While the protest adopts a light-hearted approach, police figures for areas including Rockingham, Mandurah, Kwinana and Baldivis present a more serious picture of family and domestic violence.
Organiser Megan McLeod said the concern extended beyond Herdegen’s comments to what she described as a lack of response from political leaders.
“A new member said this isn’t an issue in an electorate with some of the highest reported rates in metropolitan Perth, and not one party leader in this state said a word.
“We’ve done the vigils. We’ve done the open letters. We’ve done the candlelight and the minutes of silence, and the numbers went up again this year.
“On Tuesday we’re doing a manosphere-inspired workout on the steps of Parliament in our gym gear because ridiculousness is the one register this conversation hasn’t been had in yet.”
McLeod also questioned the level of public attention paid to online personalities compared with violence against women.
“Andrew Tate’s followers doing push-ups outside his detention facility received more media attention than the 49 women in Australia who have allegedly been killed by men known to them this year. What will it take for men, especially our leaders, to start listening to women? Push-ups?” she said.
McLeod said Herdegen, who owned a gym before entering politics, had avoided questions about family and domestic violence during the remainder of the election campaign.
“We are creating a gym-like environment for his first day in Parliament to make him feel more comfortable answering these difficult questions,” she said.
Luke Herdegen was approached for comment
