Pauline Hanson’s latest Please Explain episode features Robert Irwin despite legal battle
Robert Irwin has been targeted in a new attack cartoon released by Pauline Hanson despite the Wildlife Warrior’s threat to sue over an earlier episode. SEE THE VIDEO
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has published yet another episode for her satirical series, Please Explain, featuring a parodied version of Robert Irwin, Bluey and former CFMEU leader John Setka.
The three-minute episode, labelled The State of Melbourne, featured the children’s television show character, Bluey and an animated version of Robert Irwin touring the Victorian capital city.
The episode comes months after Irwin threatened to sue the producers of Hanson’s cartoon series over an episode satirising the Queensland government and his involvement in a state tourism campaign.
FC Lawyers, representing Irwin, sent a cease and desist letter in June to Melbourne-based Stepmates Studios alleging an episode of Hanson’s Please Explain series, uploaded on the Queensland senator’s social media, was defamatory and deceptively used Irwin’s image.
At the beginning of the latest episode, posted on Friday morning, a parodied version of Irwin addresses the previous legal debacle labelling the video as a “shameless sequel”.
“You know when I did that Queensland ad, a lot of people said I was just milking my family name for financial gain,” the Irwin caricature said.
“Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet, because now I am doing a shameless sequel for Tourism Melbourne with my best mate Bluey.”
Further into the video, both Bluey and Irwin are run over by a car driven by former Victoria Premier Dan Andrews and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The political leaders proceed to take over the satirical “ad for Tourism Melbourne” while taking jabs at Mr Andrews’ time in power.
The episode features former CFMEU leader John Setka, referencing the Australian Labor Party’s affiliation with the union.
The video, posted to Hanson’s social media has already gained more than 2000 likes, and almost 200 comments on X, formally Twitter.
Ms Hanson’s right-hand man and listed producer James Ashby said One Nation stood by the video despite the lingering legal threat, saying “it’s just a bit of fun”.
“We’ve got the advice from some of the best defamation specialists in the country that tell us it’s not defamatory, so it’s certainly tongue in cheek, but everybody at this time of the year, especially with elections looming, need a good laugh,” he said.
“Rather than pay lawyers, Robert’s welcome to give us a call anytime.”
When asked whether there were plans to feature Irwin in future episodes, Mr Ashby said “never say never” and he was welcome to voice his own character in the future.
Robert Irwin, FC Lawyers, Australia Zoo and Ludo Studios have all been contacted for comment.
Originally published as Pauline Hanson’s latest Please Explain episode features Robert Irwin despite legal battle
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