Homophobic banners targeting Labor MP Julian Hill pulled down in Melbourne

Police have stepped in to remove homophobic banners targeting a gay Labor MP in Melbourne, as the shocking act is slammed by both major parties.

Police have removed two offensive and homophobic banners targeting Labor MP Julian Hill from an overpass on a major arterial highway in Melbourne.

Officers were called to Hemmings Park bridge overpass, which runs over Princes Hwy, on Friday, before processing the scene and removing banners.

Police were then advised of further incidents where banners had been displayed in various locations, including in Casey and Cardinia local government areas.

One of the banners, which was hung in Mr Hill’s home electorate of Bruce, which he holds by a margin of only 5.3 per cent, said: “Julian Hill MP – more worried about his husband than his constituents.”

The banner, which contained a rainbow flag, did not appear to include an official campaign endorsement and was also attached to public property.

Another stated: “LGBTQ+ means more to Julian Hill than you the people.”

A banner affixed to a wire fence in the electorate of Bruce, targeting Labor MP Julian Hill. Picture: supplied

The incident has drawn bipartisan backlash.

Labor’s Murray Watt told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing the banners were “vile abuse”.

“It’s disgraceful and Julian is a great mate of mine. He’s an incredible advocate and hard worker for his community,” he said.

“He’s made an incredible contribution to our government. He’s full of ideas, full of energy, exactly the kind of person you want in parliament. Neither he nor his loved ones should be subjected to that kind of vile abuse and it’s a real indictment I think on our political debate that people think they can make those kind of remarks and get away with it.

“I’d encourage authorities to take a good luck at this. I think they are I feel for Julian and his loved ones when that sort of abuse is being meted out. We should have a cessation of that kind of thing going forward.”

Bruce MP Julian Hill was targeted in the banners, which were described as ‘vile abuse’ by his colleague Murray Watt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he had seen images of the banners, and condemned them.

“Our families are off-limits, so I thought it was disgraceful,” Dutton said.

Coalition’s campaign spokesman James Paterson told The Guardian the posters “have no place in Australian politics”.

“Whoever is responsible must be identified and prosecuted for these appalling posters,” he said.

The Liberal Party said it had referred the signs to the Australian Electoral Commission for consideration on Friday morning, when party leaders became aware of them.

In a statement, police said “there is absolutely no place for hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity”.

Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Mr Hill has not yet commented on the banners, and appeared to be campaigning as usual on Friday, sharing photos of himself at a children’s soccer match in Dandenong on Instagram.

Originally published as Homophobic banners targeting Labor MP Julian Hill pulled down in Melbourne