ABC to sue One Nation over Bluey use

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is preparing to send a cease and desist letter to the rightwing One Nation party after the group used the children's character Bluey in a political cartoon. The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, described the usage as a clear breach of intellectual property.

The dispute emerged during Senate estimates on Tuesday. Senator Varun Ghosh, the communications committee chair, asked the ABC if it had sought legal advice regarding a 2024 animation titled State of Melbourne. The video has accumulated 1.3 million views on YouTube since its release.

Marks stated he became aware of the potential breach last week and has since consulted with lawyers. He confirmed that the party did not seek permission to use the character from the hit show. The ABC is currently in contact with BBC Studios, the international distributor, and Ludo, the Brisbane-based creators of the show.

The animation is three minutes long and depicts Bluey behind the wheel of an SUV. The character strikes depictions of former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and TV host Robert Irwin. In one scene, the Albanese character tells Bluey, "You have that crazy look in your eyes," before being hit. Another scene shows Andrews at the wheel with Albanese as a passenger, deliberately running over Bluey and Irwin. The politicians are then shown placing the bodies of the two characters in the boot of the vehicle.

Marks argued the video is not a parody and does not constitute a minor use of the intellectual property. He called the depiction shocking and disrespectful to Australian children. The legal review comes one week after an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, which resulted in her losing both legs.

During the same session, Marks addressed the termination of former news director Justin Stevens. Stevens received a payout of $353,230 because the ABC asked him not to work out his notice period. Marks said he wanted to move forward with new leadership after a 19-year career ended for Stevens. Robinson, a former Reuters executive, replaced Stevens as news director last month.

Stevens earned a total remuneration of $864,394 in the last financial year, with a base salary of $529,202. The ABC has also reviewed the work of former Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal. Marks said the broadcaster found substantial flaws in much of Fazal's output, particularly regarding the use of anonymous interviewees.

The network has removed several programs made by Fazal. Sally Neighbour, a former executive producer, alleged that an associate of Fazal played different roles in different stories while disguised behind a mask. The ABC is reviewing its editorial guidance on anonymous sources in light of these findings.

Fazal has stated he stands by his reporting. In July, he described the removal of two Four Corners episodes as shocking. He said the decisions set a worrying precedent for the organization's independence and commitment to public interest journalism.