Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, has threatened legal action against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over a cartoon parody featured in her YouTube series “Please Explain.” The episode, which premiered on June 13, includes a cartoon character resembling Irwin alongside the beloved children’s character Bluey. The video, which lasts two minutes and 22 seconds, critiques a state tourism campaign in Queensland and addresses issues like healthcare waiting times, environmental concerns, and racial division in a satirical manner.

Irwin, 20, responded to the video by filing a cease and desist letter through his lawyer, Zoe Naylor, demanding its removal. The letter argues that the cartoon is defamatory and uses Irwin’s image without authorization, claiming potential liability for defamation, deceptive use of a person’s image, passing off, and misleading and deceptive conduct. Despite these threats, the video remains on YouTube, amassing over 200,000 views as of June 17.

Public reaction to Irwin’s legal threat has been mixed. Some believe Irwin is overreacting. One commenter suggested he should “grow up,” while another praised the cartoon as “hilarious.” Conversely, supporters argue Irwin has a right to protect his image. One Facebook user remarked that the creators “didn’t ask his permission and they have no clue on his stand on the government,” while another noted that Irwin’s actions are about stopping the unauthorized use of his likeness, not financial gain.

In response to Irwin’s cease and desist, Hanson has refused to remove the video. She expressed hope that she and Irwin could eventually laugh about the situation and focus on improving Queensland. Her statement underscores her intention to keep the contentious episode online despite the legal pressure from Irwin.