Queensland Government eyes offensive slogan ban in crackdown on Wicked Campers
Queensland is looking to deregister vehicles with offensive slogans from its roads, in a move targeting the controversial Wicked Campers.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has announced plans to amend laws to deregister commercial vehicles which do not comply with decisions made by advertising industry regulator the Advertising Standards Bureau.
It is a move understood to be targeting Wicked Campers, which repeatedly ignores rulings by the ASB, including 10 just this year.
Currently there is no penalty if Wicked Campers do not comply with the rulings by removing the offensive slogans from vehicles.
According to a report by the Brisbane Times, D’Ath said: “I understand clearly the level of community concern about the vulgar, crass and offensive slogans that have been displayed on some commercial vehicles in Queensland and other parts of Australia.
Yvette D’Ath: If they refuse to remove the offensive slogans, their vehicles will be off the road.
“They have been subject to frequent complaints to the Advertising Standards Board.
“When the ASB has deemed those slogans to be offensive, the typical response from the holders of those commercial vehicle registrations has been deafening silence.
“Now if they refuse to remove the offensive slogans, their vehicles will be off the road.”
The move have been welcome by the Ad Standards Bureau (ASB) and the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA).
Fiona Jolly, CEO of the ASB said: “The advertising self-regulation system has more than 99 % compliance by industry with determinations of the Advertising Standards Board.
“The ASB has been working with the Queensland Government for some time to find a way to get vans with offensive slogans and images off the road and we welcome today’s announcement by the Attorney General in Queensland.
The consistency of Wicked Campers ignoring rulings by the ad watchdog has long been an argument suggesting the industry regulator is toothless, and that industry regulation as a whole does not work.
The Advertising Standards Bureau review of operations for 2015 revealed that 13 advertisements from four advertisers – including Wicked Campers – were subjected to complaints by consumers, and that the relevant advertisers failed to respond to demands to amend or discontinue/remove the ads.
According to D’Ath, this solution allowed the ASB to maintain its power but gave their rulings teeth.
“The owners of these vehicles are in business, and some may see the offence and outrage they cause as a form of free publicity,” she said, in answer to why she refused to name the notorious company, which has been banned from some caravan parks, as well as the focus of national petitions.
“Now they have a strong financial incentive to comply with the ASB, because if they don’t, their vehicles will be unregistered, off the road, and unable to generate revenue. Should they attempt to relocate their business interstate, I would encourage other jurisdictions to consider similar laws so that these offensive slogans cannot continue to be displayed.
“This is a solution that imposes minimal additional regulatory burden.”
Head of the marketer association AANA CEO, Sunita Gloster said: “Responsible advertisers acknowledge that their licence to advertise goes hand in hand with a commitment to aligning their advertising with industry and community standards.
Gloster welcomed the move.
“The Attorney-General’s move reinforces the collaboration and commitment the industry makes to responsible and respected marketing.”
Laws enforcing the de-registrations are expected to be put before parliament by the end of the year.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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Finally, there may be an answer. The great outdoors should be G rated, so now we need some creative thinking for tackling similar problems on billboards.
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I’ve never seen a Billboard that has ever offended me and I would consider all of them G-rated anyway, it’s a non issue.
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get a sense of humour will you.
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Queensland the self censored no fun state soon to abolish all free media with a little help from Rupert Untold levels of racism with a little help from pauline and now even run those mildly offensive Wicked camper vans off the road costing even more jobs & artistic expression.
You should really read the legislation behind the VLAD laws in QLD.
There is absolutely no mention of Bikie gangs in it, just mentions groups or organisations. So once the wicked vans are gone, they can come after the unions, teachers even the free campers and the local bowling club members.
Little things all over the country are happening eroding our rights our efforts to live a good life.
Be thankful you don’t work at C.U.B. as they fired all maintenance staff at their Abbotsford brewery then offered their jobs back with a 65% pay cut
This is a dangerous precedent here, all part of a slippery slope to fascism.
This is what our grandparents fought against during WW2.
Make sure you carefully read your next employment contract or you may become extinct like Wicked probably will but with even less recourse.
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Get a life !
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It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people – initially this was about race but in most states there are laws are extended along the lines of:
A person, by a public act, must not incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or a group of persons on the ground of –
(a) the race of the person or any member of the group; or
(b) any disability of the person or any member of the group; or
(c) the sexual orientation or lawful sexual activity of the person or any member of the group; or
(d) the religious belief or affiliation or religious activity of the person or any member of the group.
If Wicked or others are breaking these laws then surely it is a criminal matter? Many of Wicked’s slogans ridicule one or more of these…If they aren’t breaching “The Law” and are only offensive then we should just get it over it.
If the vehicles are un-roadworthy then get them off the road!
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I don’t find it at all funny that I have to explain to my 7 year old what it is that that chicken is doing to the egg. You think it’s funny? Fine, look at this crap and laugh about it while you’re inside (presumably, alone). These vans are in public places. I shouldn’t have to be subjected to it, and nor should my kids.
Get a sense of humour? Why don’t you grow a brain.
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