Controversial Australian politician Pauline Hanson says she is not offended by a mural in Melbourne's west depicting a bulldog cocking its leg on her face.
Melbourne artist Van T Rudd said he painted the mural of the One Nation leader on a shop wall on Donald Street in Footscray as a statement against "extreme right-wing" views.
The mural by Van T Rudd. Photo: FACEBOOK / Van T Rudd
The mural has attracted attention on social media, with some people praising the work and others calling it "disgusting" and disrespectful to Ms Hanson.
In Perth, Ms Hanson said the mural did not worry her.
"From what I've been through, for what I've had thrown at me over the year, you think that would offend me? Not at all," she said.
I consider what I want to do, and what I am doing for the Australian people is more important than worrying about rubbish like that."
Ms Hanson made a political comeback last year after first making waves with One Nation in the mid-Nineties.
She is known for her anti-immigration ideas, and when she returned as a senator in 2016, she warned Australia was at risk of being "swamped by Muslims" and has told immigrants unwilling to adapt to the Australian way of life they should "go back to where you came from".
Rudd said he did not consider the mural to be very controversial.
"It does boil down to a direct confrontation … I'm using two quite powerful symbols to do that," he said.
He said he used the mascot of the Western Bulldogs AFL team because it was a popular symbol of the city's west.
"It's a part of people's lives, including people with different backgrounds," he said.
"The strength of the migrant population, the Aboriginal culture that is here, the Western Bulldogs to me represent a lot of that.
"I feel like the art and the sports is an arena that we can challenge things … that's why it's really important for me to do this."
Rudd said the mural had not been given approval by the local council.
Shop owner Kuan Pung said Rudd had asked him if he could paint the wall and he agreed.
Mr Pung, a refugee from Cambodia, said he did not think the work was offensive.
"I think it's great, it's good," he said.
"She's not supporting the refugees."
Rudd, the nephew of former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, carries a strong anti-racism message in his artwork and is known for pushing the boundaries.
In 2010, he was fined by police after donning a Ku Klux Klan hood for an anti-racism protest outside the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park.
The ABC was unable to reach the Western Bulldogs for comment.
- ABC
