Pauline Hanson responds to Irwin threat
Written by admin on June 17, 2024
Pauline Hanson has declared she won’t remove the latest controversial episode of Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain, after Robert Irwin threatened to sue the One Nation leader.
The response comes after Seantor Hanson was threatened to be sued for defamation by the 20-year-old son of iconic wildlife legend Steve Irwin, who says he was mocked in the latest episode.
In an X post, Ms Hanson showed the response by Gillis Deaney Lawyers who are acting on her behalf.
It outlines that the cartoon was the purpose of “political commentary” and that points made in it were “criticisms of the current State Government”, and due to its satirical nature doesn’t “defame your client”.
“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.”
Ms Hanson captioned the post with “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”.
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.
It’s understood the letter was sent on June 14.
In the latest episode of the online series, it depicts Mr Irwin and beloved cartoon icon Bluey promoting a new tourism campaign for Queensland, which he says mocks him.
In the letter sent to StepMates Studios, it’s outlined by lawyer Zoe Naylor the cartoon involves the “unauthorised and deceptive use of our client’s image”.
She demands 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 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.
In response to this point, Senator’s response letter outlines that the video “does not amount to ‘unlawful use of your client’s image’ (whatever that may mean).”
More to come.
