Fishing and hunting store censured by ad watchdog for inciting ‘hatred’ towards Greens
Victorian hunting and fishing store, Trelly’s Tackle World, has had a television ad banned by the industry watchdog for inciting “hatred” towards the Greens party members and insinuating they are a target for hunters.
The ad, which aired on free to air television, features a voice over stating “it’s open season” as a series of photos appear showing a man with his underwear showing, a group of ISIS fighters and the Greens logo.
All of the images in the ad have a red circle with a line through it around them, similar to that of the ‘No Smoking’ sign.
A complaint to Ad Standards “objected” to the ad arguing the ad implies “greens, and Muslims are targets for open season”.
“Given this shop sells hunting equipment including guns and ammunition I am very concerned by the message this sends,” the complaint said.
Trelly’s Tackle World said the person who complained is “delusional” and the Greens are “liars”.
“Yes the Greens are proven liars and would take any opertunity to discredit anyone who is againts their agenda [sic]. They would actually go the extent of saving an Animal is preference to a Child if they had to make a choice, but the Add actually refers to Clothing and the choice one would make when hunting [sic],” the advertiser said in its response.
The spokesperson from Trelly’s Tackle World also urged Ad Standards to reveal the identity of the person who made the complaint to Boarder Force Security as they are “of a National Security Concern”.
Ad Standards found the ad didn’t vilify against race or ethnicity as the ad is clearly highlighting that you should not wear all black clothes while hunting.
However, the Board said the third image of the Greens logo, “was not related to clothing choices but specifically related to a sector of the community who were associated with a specific political party”.
“In the context of ‘open season’ that the likely impression of the advertisement was that the Greens party members, and members of that political leaning, are a target for hunters,” Ad Standards said upholding the complaint.
Trelly’s Tackle World said the ad has been removed from all media.
This is not the first time an ad promoting Trelly’s Tackle World has been banned.
In February last year the hunting company had a controversial and “incredibly offensive” Australia Day ad banned for humiliating Muslims.
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
Linkedin
Such a cogent, grammatical, beautifully constructed and fact-filled rationale from Trelly’s Tackle World.
Maybe Trelly has received one too many head-high tackles.
User ID not verified.