Pauline Hanson responds to Irwin threat
Pauline Hanson has declared she won’t remove the latest controversial episode of her Please Explain cartoon, after Robert Irwin threatened to sue the One Nation leader.
The 20-year-old son of iconic wildlife legend Steve Irwin has claimed the satirical cartoon that features him is defamatory and has requested it be removed.
Mr Irwin says he was mocked in the episode, which depicts himself and cartoon icon Bluey promoting a new tourism campaign for Queensland.
In the video, the pair are evicted from a beach due to native title, are told they must wait six months for healthcare and have their vehicle stolen by “juvenile delinquents”.
Senator Hanson shared her response online to Mr Irwin’s threat, sharing to social media her letter from Gillis Delaney Lawyers, who are acting on her behalf.
“I will not be removing the latest episode of Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain,” she wrote on Monday.
“I look forward to the day when Robert and I can have a good laugh over this and turn our focus to making Queensland a better state.”
Her legal letter claims the cartoon was the purpose of “political commentary” and points made were “criticisms of the current State Government”, and due to its satirical nature doesn’t defame Mr Irwin.
“Your client’s claims of passing off and defamation are so plainly inconsistent as to be nonsensical,” the letter states.
“It is difficult to comprehend how a viewer could understand that the Video represents an affiliation with your client if he is also being defamed in the same publication.
“One would imagine a publisher would not seek to undermine the reputation of a person who whom they represent an affiliation.”
NewsWire confirmed a cease and desist letter sent by FC Lawyers, acting on behalf of Robert Irwin, was sent to StepMates Studios, the production team behind Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain cartoon series on June 14.
In the letter sent to StepMates Studios, lawyer Zoe Naylor claims the cartoon involves the “unauthorised and deceptive use of our client’s image”.
Ms Naylor demands the cartoon be removed and the studio behind the cartoon immediately stop using Mr Irwin’s image without prior approval.
“You are potentially liable to our client in respect of defamation, deceptive use of a person’s image, passing off and misleading and deceptive conduct,” the letter states.
“We will commence legal action against you if you do not take down the video immediately.”
The Episode
The episode itself mocks Queensland’s issues with housing, youth crime and health care as the satirically-depicted Mr Irwin attempts to show Bluey the best of the state.
The pair are depicted mistaking a long queue for an unlikeable rental property as a line for Movie World.
At another point in the episode, the pair have their car stolen by juvenile delinquents, who later return to bash Bluey.
The episode ends with Mr Irwin saying “I can’t believe this is the state of Queensland”.
Senator Hanson’s letter outlines that the video “does not amount to ‘unlawful use of your client’s image’ (whatever that may mean).”
“Your client cannot commence proceedings as threatened,” the response letter states.
“Further, any such claims would attract defences, including public interest, freedom of political communication (particularly having regard to the upcoming Queensland State election), and honest opinion.
“Having regard to the somewhat novel and speculative nature of the claims, it is disappointing that you repeatedly claim in your letter that the publication of the Video amounts to ‘unlawful conduct’.
“This allegation should be withdrawn by you.”
The video remains online as of Monday evening.
