Pauline Hanson has reached out to popular animation creators Stepmates TV to create a series of “educational” videos purpose fit for younger demographics.
Pauline Hanson has reached out to popular animation creators Stepmates TV to create a series of “educational” videos purpose fit for younger demographics.
Please explain?
Cartoon creators Stepmates who’ve often achieved viral status thanks to their “regular old bogan” character was surprisingly approached by One Nation to develop a 20-episode series. It’s believed that this has cost One Nation a pretty penny, a number somewhere to the tune of a six-figure sum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDDSeFZuxek
To date three episodes have been produced that are punchy, short, Southpark style clips in which Hanson acts as a schoolteacher reprimanding a classroom full of parodied parliamentary figures. So far none of the uploaded videos perpetuate One Nation’s notoriously conservative political views but it’s still open season for making fun of every and any politician (besides One Nation).
Co-owner of Stepmates Mark Nicholson has been open about wanting to attract young eyes and said on the new venture “We’re hopeful it makes politics seem a little more accessible to youth, by showing its silly side.”
For Stepmates this is just another stage in their mission to make Australia funny again. A slogan which was ostensibly created before Donald Trump’s Make American Great Again became a hit phenomenon.
Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain Episode 2 “Please Explain Preferences” – YouTube
One Nation has subtly and dare it be said intelligently portrayed Australia’s major parties as both incompetent and collusive. They’ve done this aptly without having to dig into the nitty gritty of their policy details. As a bonus, this innovative campaign will not just appeal to younger voters but also dodge around political advertising obligations.
Voicing his concern Dr Stephen Mill, a senior lecturer in social and political sciences at the University of Sydney has said that these kinds of negative depictions “might further undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of mainstream legislative politics.”
Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain Episode 3 “Please Explain Donations” – YouTube
Perhaps Dr Mill’s is right judging by the fact that trust in government is flirting with some of the lowest levels of confidence ever recorded.
In any case Stepmates co-owner Mark Nicholson isn’t bothered by all the noise as it’s all just a bit of fun for him and his team. But, judging from the comments on these videos it’s clear One Nation’s videos are a perfect case and point of almost masterful dog-whistling.
