Wicked Campers still on Queensland roads despite laws to crack down on offensive slogans
Exclusive by Casey Briggs
Posted Thu 17 Aug 2017 at 8:05pm Thursday 17 Aug 2017 at 8:05pm Thu 17 Aug 2017 at 8:05pm
A van registered in South Australia on display in Cairns. (ABC News: Casey Briggs)
abc.net.au/news/wicked-campers-on-queensland-roads-despite-offensive-slogan-laws/8818014
Six months after laws to crack down on the offensive slogans used by companies like Wicked Campers were passed, the Queensland Government is yet to cancel the registration of a single vehicle.
The ABC has been told four complaints have been made under the laws which were designed to stamp out sexist, obscene and offensive slogans.
At least two of those complaints have been upheld by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB).
Under the laws, if the ASB upholds the complaints they are referred to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), which can cancel the offending vehicle's registration if the slogans are not removed within 14 days.
One complaint over the slogan "F*** I just snapped my G-string" on a Wicked Camper van was upheld in May.
The company failed to respond and the ASB said in its determination that it is liaising with TMR over the issue.
The State Opposition raised concerns that the laws would not work. (Flickr: Michael Coghlan)
Another complaint involving the slogan "Everyone feels the cold except polar bears and hookers" was also upheld in April, not because of the language used but because the van included a picture of character Snow White "seemingly smoking an illegal substance".
It is understood another complaint relates to a vehicle carrying the phrase "Gas, grass, or ass, no one rides for free".
Despite the determinations in April and May, Acting Main Roads Minister Steven Miles confirmed that "as of 10 August 2017 [TMR] has not yet cancelled any vehicle registrations for offensive advertising".
"In the lead up to the passing of this legislation there was significant community concern about this issue," Mr Miles said.
"I would encourage those who see a vehicle with material they find offensive to visit the ASB website and fill in a complaints form."
National approach needed
At the time, the Queensland State Opposition raised concerns the approach would not work, as Wicked Campers could simply register its fleet in another state to avoid the laws.
Vans on display in Cairns include one registered in South Australia with the slogans "T**** Twister" and "It would be easy for me to make it hard for you".
Another seen in the tourist hotspot is registered in Victoria and reads "Boobs prove that men can concentrate on two things at once".
A van registered in Victoria parked in Cairns last month. (ABC News: Casey Briggs)
Mr Miles said Queensland was "leading the way" in a national approach.
"After the legislation was passed earlier this year, the previous minister for main roads wrote to state counterparts to encourage implementing similar laws," he said.
Tasmania is the only other state or territory to have passed equivalent laws.
'A sense of powerlessness' behind few complaints
Anna McCormack from campaign group Wicked Pickets said she was not surprised by the lack of complaints, claiming there is "a sense of powerlessness".
Mr Miles encourages people to complain if they see a vehicle they find offensive. (Supplied: Facebook)
"My sense is that a lot of people don't go that far, and partly that's because in the past they've made complaints to the Advertising Standards Board and either the complaints haven't been upheld or if they've been upheld [and] Wicked Campers hasn't responded," Ms McCormack said.
She said it would help if the Government promoted the laws and the complaints process, particularly in tourist hotspots like Cairns.
Ms McCormack said the Queensland laws were not strong enough in the first place as they did not outlaw all advertising that incites violence against women.
"Our understanding after Queensland passed that legislation was that Victoria was going to consider a much broader approach, so we're more hopeful about that."
Wicked Campers has been contacted for comment.
Posted 17 Aug 2017 17 Aug 2017 Thu 17 Aug 2017 at 8:05pm
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