Hanson denies responsibility for One Nation colouring book showing Bluey at knifepoint
Pauline Hanson has denied responsibility for a One Nation colouring book that shows the children's cartoon character Bluey being held at knifepoint, according to The Guardian. The book's cover reads "Pauline Hanson's One Nation colouring book", and it carried an authorisation message from Hanson herself.
Asked about the book, Hanson said it was "to do with the party and with the executive", then added "I'm not discussing that". She also declined to say whether the colouring books were appropriate, 1News reported.
The book contains eight images drawn from the Please Explain web series, according to the ABC. One page shows a crocodile robbing Bluey and Robert Irwin at knifepoint. Another depicts federal minister Chris Bowen being turned into a cyborg, and a third shows federal politicians marooned on a raft. One image alludes to the film Inside Out, and the back page includes the party's website.
The Please Explain series had faced criticism for mocking Senator Jacqui Lambie's medical condition. A One Nation spokesperson said the series and its merchandise were political satire. Hanson and her colleagues have rejected criticism that the cartoons contribute to violence, and have defended them as satire.
Videos shared by One Nation in August showed the colouring book on sale at its stall at the Ekka agricultural show in Brisbane. One video showed Hanson holding a copy while speaking to a young girl. Colouring books featuring caricatures in the style of Please Explain were also handed out at the party's booth at the Mount Gambier show.
Local mother Elisabeth Champion said her children, aged five and seven, were offered the books at the stall. She said she had reported the colouring book to the Australian Electoral Commission and to Ad Standards, which handles complaints about advertising.
The ABC has urged One Nation to immediately remove Bluey references from its videos. A spokesperson said the ABC does not own the intellectual property for Bluey, that it is considering its available options, and that the relevant cartoons should be removed from One Nation's platforms straight away.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks told a Senate estimates hearing, a committee session where officials answer questions, that he became aware of One Nation's potential breach of intellectual property rights last week. He said he had sought legal advice over the use of Bluey in material showing the character running over Anthony Albanese and former Victorian premier Dan Andrews with an SUV. Marks said the broadcaster was considering its legal options.
Hanson has denied that One Nation's use of Bluey breached intellectual property.
