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Minister's rape threats after complaint about Christmas billboard

A female government minister has revealed how she received rape threats after complaining about a Queensland billboard that promoted guns as a Christmas present.

The large billboard, from firearms retailer Gun World Australia, showed a woman clad in a Santa outfit clutching a gun with the slogan, “Santa knows what you really want for Christmas”.

Queensland Environment Minister, Leanne Enoch, protested about the advertisement in November last year, three weeks before the 2017 state election, and initiated a petition to take down the billboard.

“My first reaction to it was one of horror,” Ms Enoch told ABC’s Four Corners program.

“This is really diminishing the value, the importance of, the responsibility of, gun ownership.”

After posting the petition to remove the billboard, Ms Enoch received a barrage of threats.

“Let someone break into your house and rape and kill you,” one social media user said.

The Gun World Australia billboard (pictured) stirred controversy
The Gun World Australia billboard (pictured) stirred controversy ahead of the 2017 Queensland elections. Source: Facebook/Gun World Australia

Ms Enoch, who was Queensland’s Small Business Minister at the time of the petition, wrote about the attention grabbing advertisement, which was located at the corner of Algester and Beaudesert Roads, south west of Brisbane.

“Gun safety is a serious matter and I don’t think this billboard has a place in our community,” Ms Enoch wrote on Facebook in November 2017.

“That’s why I’m calling for it to be removed immediately. Thank you to everyone who signed my petition.”

The post attracted over 3,000 comments, the ABC reported.

Gun World Australia urged supporters to vote against Labor

Gun World Australia responded by posting a photo of their “fantastic billboard” and urging people to vote against Labor in the November Queensland state elections.

“Gun safety is a serious matter and on November 25 is your chance to send a message to Queensland Labor,” Gun World Australia posted on Facebook on November 11, 2017.

“#PutLaborLast.”

Following this, Ms Enoch received vicious threats of sexual violence.

Leanne Enoch, Queensland Environment Minister (pictured) received rape threats after complaining about the gun billboard
Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch. Source: AAP

“Someone shoot this bitch,” one social media user posted.

“Remember that while being raped,” another wrote.

Ms Enoch, who was Queensland’s Small Business Minister at the time of the petition, was also criticised by the Shooting Industry Foundation Australia (SIFA).

“It is outrageous that a small business which serves a legal, open and ethical market should be targeted by a QLD Labor MP,” SIFA said in a November 22 press release.

“It is outrageous that in her petition the Labor Minister called for a complete ban of firearms for any use, including Olympic sports, agriculture, feral pest control, stock protection and accessible, inclusive recreation.”