Pauline Hanson’s brutal message to Robert Irwin – and why he WILL NOT be happy
Pauline Hanson is standing firm in her refusal to remove a satirical cartoon about Robert Irwin after he threatened legal action – as a top lawyer predicts he has no chance of winning a libel suit.
Senator Hanson’s animated video series ‘PleaseExplain’ featured a likeness of the youngest Irwin alongside the famous cartoon dog Bluey in the final episode on Friday.
The episode, entitled ‘The state of Queensland‘, satirically shows Irwin and Bluey exploring the state after the pair were unveiled as the faces of their new $9.2 million tourism campaign.
However, just hours after the video was published, FC Lawyers sent a cease and desist order on Irwin’s behalf to StepMates Studios, the series’ production team.
Daily Mail Australia understands FC Lawyers has set a 5pm deadline on Monday to remove the videos from all social media platforms.
Pauline Hanson stands firm in her refusal to remove a satirical cartoon about Robert Irwin after he threatened legal action – as a top lawyer predicts he has no chance of winning a libel suit
Senator Hanson’s animated video series ‘PleaseExplain’ featured a likeness of Robert Irwin (pictured) alongside famous cartoon dog Bluey in the final episode on Friday
But Senator Hanson has refused to comply, instead calling on the wildlife warrior to see the funny side of the video, which has now been viewed more than half a million times.
“I can confidently say that we will not be removing the episode and I hope Robert decides to lighten it up a bit,” she wrote on social media.
Senator Hanson added: “I look forward to the day when Robert and I can have a good laugh about this and turn our attention to making Queensland a better state.”
Her lawyers described the threatened legal action in a letter on Monday as ‘abuse’ and ‘nonsensical’.
It comes as a top lawyer encouraged Irwin to follow Senator Hanson’s advice to ‘cheer up’ as he had ‘absolutely’ no chance of success with the looming defamation case.
Justin Quill, media and litigation partner at Thomson Greer Laywers, said it was “obvious this is a joke”.
“I don’t think it’s defamatory in the first place and even if it is, I think there are two very obvious defenses: one is an opinion and the other is a political discussion,” he told Today.
“I doubt it will go to trial.”
Be that as it may, One Nation chief of staff James Ashby confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that he had engaged defamation expert Sue Chrysanthou SC.
Daily Mail Australia approached FC Lawyers for comment.
In the episode, enthusiastic Irwin character Bluey tries to show all the positive things the Sunshine State has to offer.
The firefighter-senator’s YouTube series included an episode Friday satirically portraying Irwin and the ABC children’s cartoon character Bluey (pictured)
But the pair are confronted with exactly the same problems that residents there struggle with every day.
The duo at one point mistake a long queue at famed Movie World theme park for a rental inspection, highlighting Queensland’s dire housing crisis.
They are also targeted by foul-mouthed delinquents who steal their car and ‘bash’ Bluey.
When he is taken to hospital, they are told there will be a wait of ‘six months’.
The episode ends with a somber Irwin saying, “I can’t believe this is the state of Queensland”.
On Monday, Pauline Hanson said the episode “highlights the struggles many Queenslanders face as a result of the serious failure of the Miles Labor state government”.
She added: “We will not allow that message to be shut down.”
Ordinary Aussies have since had their say, with some calling Irwin a ‘sook’ who needs to ‘grow up’, while some have defended him and condemned Ms Hanson.
Ms Hanson and One Nation chief of staff James Ashby previously told the younger Irwin to be more like his father Steve, who they claim would have had a “good laugh” at the cartoon (Picture: Steve Irwin)
“Your father would [have] I laughed a lot at Pauline’s cartoon. Grow up, stop being a snowflake!” someone said.
‘I can’t believe Robert Irwin is threatening One Nation with legal action over a (fantastic) satirical cartoon. How pathetic and un-Australian. Develop a sense of humor, mate,” wrote another.
“Robert Irwin has very thin skin, he needs a laugh,” a third person commented.
‘Robert Irwin doesn’t seem to have thought this through. Taking action not only made it trending on
Others targeted Ms. Hanson and defended Irwin.
“It’s Pauline Hanson who is the politician and she has a reputation for taking others to court when they are offended,” one person wrote.
“She likes to dish it out, but she can’t stand what it will cost her at the ballot box!”
Another added: ‘What about when Pauline Hanson threatened legal action against Pauline Pantsdown?’