Pauline Hanson has denied any personal involvement in the production of a political colouring book distributed by her One Nation party, which features the children’s cartoon character Bluey in a contentious depiction. The book shows Bluey being held at knifepoint and carrying an authorisation from Hanson, prompting criticism and legal concerns.

The colouring book was handed out at a country show in South Australia and is part of the party’s ongoing Please Explain cartoon series, which has attracted controversy in recent months. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has called on One Nation to immediately remove references to Bluey from its videos, citing potential intellectual property infringements. Hugh Marks, the ABC’s managing director, revealed during Senate estimates that the broadcaster became aware last week of possible breaches regarding the use of Bluey’s image. The character was depicted running over prominent political figures including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews in one of the party’s videos.

Footage from August shows the colouring book available at a One Nation stall at Brisbane’s Ekka agricultural show, with Hanson herself seen holding a copy while speaking with a child. When questioned about the colouring book and the party’s cartoon series on Wednesday, Hanson declined to take responsibility, attributing the matter to the party’s executive and refusing further comment.

The Please Explain series has drawn criticism for its controversial content, including an episode that mocked Senator Jacqui Lambie’s health issues. Hanson issued an apology over that episode, acknowledging it was “not as tastefully done as it could have been” and requesting that it be re-edited. Other episodes released in 2023 and 2024 have depicted federal politicians meeting violent ends, including being run over by vehicles, with Bluey featured in some of these scenes.

Despite mounting backlash, Hanson and her party colleagues have rejected accusations that the cartoons incite violence, defending them as a form of political satire. The ABC, while clarifying that it does not hold the intellectual property rights to Bluey, has indicated it is exploring legal options in response to One Nation’s use of the character.

The incident adds to ongoing debates about the limits of political expression and the unauthorized use of copyrighted characters in the Australian political landscape.