Robert Irwin threatens to sue One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for defamation over Please Explain cartoon
Robert Irwin has threatened to sue One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for defamation after he was mocked in the latest episode of her Please Explain cartoon.
NewsWire has confirmed a cease and desist letter sent by FC Lawyers, acting on behalf of the son of iconic wildlife legend Steve Irwin, was sent to StepMates Studios, the production team behind Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain cartoon series.
Lawyers for Robert Irwin have issued a legal letter over his depiction in Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain cartoon. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia
One Nation senator Pauline Hanson. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
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It is understood the letter was sent late Friday night.
Mr Irwin, 20, says he was mocked in the latest episode of the online series, which depicts himself and cartoon icon Bluey promoting a new tourism campaign for Queensland.
In the letter, lawyer Zoe Naylor claims the cartoon is defamatory and 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.
At one point the pair mistake a long queue for a rental property for a line at Movie World.
The latest episode of Pauline Hanson's Please Explain cartoon mocked Mr Irwin, he alleges. Supplied / YouTube Credit: YouTube
In the episode, Mr Irwin and cartoon icon Bluey are seen exploring various locations like the Great Barrier Reef. Supplied Credit: YouTube
Bluey is also “bashed” by juvenile delinquents while Mr Irwin is told there is a six-month wait for hospital care.
It ends with Mr Irwin saying: “I can’t believe this is the state of Queensland”.
The legal letter claims the cartoon tarnished Mr Irwin’s reputation but also misled the public, causing “significant harm to our client’s brand and image”.
“We are concerned that the unlawful use of our client’s image may be an attempt to pass off yourself or party as currently being affiliated or otherwise authorised by us, which you are not,” it continues.
“This unlawful use has the potential to mislead or deceive consumers into believing that you have.
The episode mocks Queensland’s issues with housing, youth crime and health care. Supplied Credit: YouTube
“The use of our client’s image and name on the video is capable of leading not an insignificant number of reasonable and/or ordinary people into erroneously believing that the Pauline Hanson is associated with Robert.”
StepMates Studios has been given until 5pm Monday to remove the video before Mr Irwin’s lawyers potentially take further action through the District and Federal Courts.
One Nation chief of staff James Ashby told NewsWire they disputed the letter and would respond through their lawyers.
It is understood leading defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC has been consulted by the party.