Fans slam Robert Irwin for threatening to sue after cartoon ‘mocked’ him
A character with Robert Irwin's likeness recently appeared on the cartoon series Please Explain
Niamh Shackleton
Robert Irwin has threatened to sue One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin, features on the most recent episode of Please Explain, which premiered on YouTube on June 13.
In the video is a cartoon character with Irwin's likeness alongside well-loved children's animation Bluey.
The two minute, 22 second-long video criticizes the pair's involvement within a state tourism campaign in Queensland.
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It addresses issues like healthcare waiting times, wind turbines ruining the country's natural habitats and racial division in a satirical manner.
While the cartoon is purposely full tongue-in-cheek, like the rest of Pauline Hanson's Please Explain series, Irwin, 20, hasn't taken it very well and has filed a cease and desist letter to Hanson demanding that the clip is taken down.
In the letter, Irwin's lawyer Zoe Naylor claims that the cartoon is defamatory and involves the 'unauthorised and deceptive use of our client’s image'.
"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, as per News.au.com.
"We will commence legal action against you if you do not take down the video immediately."
But as of today (June 17), the video is still available to watch on YouTube and has so far generated over 200,000 views.
In the wake of Irwin's threats, some people think the 20-year-old has been a bit heavy-handed towards Hanson.
"Crying because of a cartoon, grow up," one person said, 7NEWS reported.
"No Aussie humour anymore. Have a cup of concrete Irwin. Bloody hilarious," added another.
Meanwhile, a third person hailed the cartoon as 'spot on' and said there was 'no need' for Irwin to take legal action.
Others were more supportive of Irwin's cease and desist letter though.
Someone penned on Facebook: "I’m with Robert Irwin on this one. The cheek of them. They didn’t ask his permission and they have no clue on his stand on the government."
Someone else commented: "If he’s been used without permission, then he has every right to sue."
"If they want to use his likeness, being funny or not permission needs to be sort and his not suing for money he just wants it stopped," echoed a different person. "His standing up for himself so good on him."
Hanson has since taken to X and wrote: "I will not be removing the latest episode of Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain.
"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."
UNILAD has contacted Irwin's legal rep and Pauline Hanson for further comment.