Vulgar Sculpture Targets Marles Outside Geelong Office

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A crude statue mocking Defence Minister Richard Marles as “Australia’s biggest brown-noser” appeared outside his Geelong electorate office on July 26, 2025, stirring local outrage and highlighting tensions with the Labour government. This article explores the provocative installation, its context, and community reactions.

The offensive artwork, erected by a group called The New Radicals, featured a large sculpted nose smeared with fake faeces, chained to a pole outside Marles’ office in Geelong’s Central Business District (CBD). A sign nearby declared it a “memorial” to Marles, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Corio, mocking his role in the Labour government. As reported by Daily Mail Australia, the installation vanished by 5 p.m., but photos spread rapidly on social media, amplifying its impact. The stunt coincided with Marles’ celebration of the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) “Geelong Treaty,” a 50-year defence pact hailed as a job-creating milestone but criticized by some as aligning too closely with foreign powers.

This crass display reflects growing frustration with the Labour government’s policies, particularly among those who view Marles’ AUKUS advocacy as excessive deference to international allies. The New Radicals’ stunt, while juvenile, taps into broader discontent with a government perceived as out of touch. Geelong locals expressed mixed reactions online, with one X user commenting, “This is low, but Marles’ office has been a target before, people are fed up.” The electorate office, previously hit by pro-Palestinian vandalism in 2023 and 2024, seems a lightning rod for protest, raising questions about security and respect for public spaces.

The incident underscores a broader issue: the erosion of civil discourse under Labour’s watch. While Marles’ office declined to comment, the lack of immediate action to deter such acts fuels perceptions of weak leadership. Residents demand stronger measures to protect elected officials and public property, arguing that crude stunts distract from substantive debate. As Geelong grapples with its identity as a proud, evolving city, this vulgar spectacle serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Australia’s political landscape.