The Sketch: Signs, sealed, delivered: hear me roar

Anthony Albanese makes an emphatic point during question time on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

One of the architecture quirks of Parliament House is also its most poignant. When all the doors are opened down the middle of the building — from the cabinet room, past the fountain and through the Great Hall — politicians can look out on to the front lawns and up to the Australian War Memorial.

It’s meant to remind prime ministers of the consequences of their decisions.

Brittany Higgins outside Parliament House.

If Scott Morrison had opened the doors on Monday, he would have seen thousands of women protesting against electile ­dysfunction. The crowd parted, a hush descended and the name Brittney Higgins was whispered in awe. The Ides of March had come to the Canberra Bubble™ and she was wearing white.

Moments earlier, MC Julia Zemiro chided Anthony Albanese for stealing focus as speeches kicked off. Lisa Wilkinson (and her surprise guest) were running late — stuck in traffic on one of Canberra’s roundabouts. They should have caught the bus!

Male ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr put on a free shuttle service for anyone attending.

The irony wasn’t lost on locals that the ride left from outside the notorious Mooseheads nightclub.

“Can you please check in on your phone and the bathrooms are down there” were the instructions upon arrival at the ACT #March4Justice. “We’re women, we’re organised,” the COVID marshall explained.

Two steps in and there was a toilet seat! “Saved me a lot of time,” explained the holder of the throne, who proudly purchased it from Bunnings for $7. The lid read “flush out pooliament” and the inside asked “when will this crap stop?”

Next week is the anniversary of the anti-carbon tax rally where Tony Abbott stood in front of a banner reading “Ju-liar: Bob Brown’s Bitch”. Ten years on and “Ditch the Witch” placards have been replaced with “Ditch the Dick”.

Many messages the Prime Minister missed on “Our Vagenda” are unprintable in this family paper. Here’s a few standouts.

Mr Albanese with MP parents Amanda Rishworth, Anika Wells, Ms Payne, Kate Thwaites and Matt Keogh. Picture: Getty Images

“If women were strawberries, the LNP might care”.

“I’ve seen better cabinets at IKEA”.

“Girls just want to have fun-damental human rights”.

“Be thankful we only want equality”.

“The Handmaid’s Tale wasn’t meant to be a how-to manual”.

“Boys will be — held accountable for their actions”.

“The ‘Big Swinging Dick Club’ needs a kick in the nuts”, alongside a Marie Antoinette inspired “Off With Their Heads”.

All ages were in attendance, including one Gen Zer holding up a sign that said: “I’m 12 and already sick of this shit!” However, it’s hard to top the relatable, “So bad even introverts are here”.

Alicia Payne shows off her new born in the House of Representatives. Picture: Gary Ramage

After a he said/she said of who would leave the building — “Prime ministers don’t go to protests and marches. Prime ministers run the country,” Assistant Attorney-General Amanda Stoker claimed, forgetting the time John Howard fronted an anti-gun demonstration — there were a handful of Libs and Nats in the crowd.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston didn’t have time to attend. Instead it was Sarah Henderson and Jane Hume who led their colleagues in a singalong to Helen Reddy’s anthem “I Am Woman”. In front of the cameras, of course.