My colleagues and I have been speaking out against Wicked Campers for around eight years. It’s taken a long time to build momentum. But now, at least, we are getting some traction at state level with the Queensland Government condemning the camper van company, and more recently, the Tasmanian Government also going public with its concerns. Let’s hope other States will follow and we will soon see a nation-wide ban. 
The Palaszczuk Government has moved to get offensive slogans on vehicles removed from Queensland roads.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the plan to get sexist, misogynistic or otherwise clearly inappropriate messages off Queensland roads comes after extensive co-operation between the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the Advertising Standards Bureau.
“Under the new arrangements, commercial vehicle registration holders who fail to comply with determinations by the Advertising Standards Bureau will face the prospect of having the registration of offending vehicles cancelled,” said Mrs D’Ath.
“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.
“They have been the subject of 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.”
Mrs D’Ath said targeting the issue through commercial vehicle registrations provided an innovative solution to what has been a difficult problem for governments in Australia and overseas.
“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.
“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 businesses 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.
“I believe this is the first time any government in Australia has taken action of this kind, and I want to thank Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey and his Department as well as ASB CEO Fiona Jolly and the Advertising Standards Board for their co-operation and diligence in enabling us to arrive at this solution.
“I would also like to thank members of the community, community organisations and my parliamentary colleagues, who have all voiced their concerns over this issue.”
Mrs D’Ath said it is important to note the vast majority of advertising and advertisers comply with decisions of the ASB.
“I will continue to work closely with Minister Bailey and would hope legislation can be brought before the parliament by the end of this year,” she said.
“In the meantime, I would encourage the owners of these commercial vehicle registrations to see the writing on the wall – and get this offensive writing off their vehicles.”
Palaszcuk government moves to curb offensive ad slogans
See also:
‘Offensive’ Wicked Campers targeted in planned Queensland deregistration laws
Offensive Wicked Campers to be banned in Queensland under new government plan
Read more: Wicked Campers
Tasmania joins Wicked Condemnation
24 July 2016
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
Wicked Campers
Like many in the community, the Hodgman Liberal Government is very concerned about some slogans on interstate-registered campervans operating under the Wicked Campers brand.
As previously advised, I have spoken with the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on this issue, and she has confirmed the owners of these vehicles, and possibly even the drivers, are likely in breach of a number of provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tasmania), particularly relating to incitement to unlawful conduct.
As a Government we have encouraged concerned Tasmanians to contact Equal Opportunity Tasmania to discuss the process for lodging a complaint.
In the meantime, I have been investigating possible regulatory or legislative options to stop these vile, sexist and misogynistic vans from operating in Tasmania.
Under the current law, these offensive vans which are Queensland registered, can spend up to three months in Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Government supports any action by the Queensland Government which would see these vans taken off the road and if there were any attempt by the company to register vans in Tasmania, the Hodgman Government would consider taking similar action.
Contact: Danielle McKay
Phone: 0438 390 273
See also: Free speech defender Sen David Leyonhjelm tells MTR to ‘Shut the F…k Up’ following Chaser prank
One Response
Hope a nation-wide ban follows this.