One Nation colouring book intended for kids depicts Bluey being robbed

One Nation has defended a colouring book handed out at a country show, depicting cartoon character Bluey being held at knifepoint and unflattering caricatures of various politicians.

The colouring books were given away at One Nation's booth at the Mount Gambier show, and feature caricatures from Pauline Hanson's Please Explain web series.

The book contains images based on episodes of the series, such as a crocodile with a knife robbing what looks to be Robert Irwin and Bluey.

Another appears to show federal minister Chris Bowen being turned into a cyborg, with former Greens leader Adam Bandt, Anthony Albanese and Senator Hanson also depicted.

It comes as the series faces criticism for mocking Senator Jacqui Lambie's medical condition.

The back page of the colouring book includes the party's website and claims it was authorised by Senator Hanson.

A One Nation spokesperson said the party was happy to listen to complaints or concerns from the public, but the series and its merchandise were political satire.

"It's a legitimate form of public commentary that's been widely used for centuries and One Nation will continue to do so,"

they said.

'Really distressing' imagery

Local mother Elisabeth Champion said her children, aged five and seven, were offered the colouring books by someone working at the stall.

"Thankfully I looked at the books first … so my children didn't see it, but I'm aware a lot of parents wouldn't have looked at it until their kids had already seen it," she said.

"One of the images has Bluey in it, and my children are huge Bluey fans, and that would be really distressing to see."

Ms Champion said that while she had no issue with political satire, she felt the images were inappropriate and could not be understood by children.

"They're going to see it as Bluey being scared,"

she said.

"These are beloved characters that kids are seeing in a negative light. 

"That's not how political satire should work."

Ms Champion said she reported the book to the Australian Electoral Commission and Ad Standards, but was told they did not deal with political advertising of this kind.

"Images like that do stick in the kids' heads, and especially the age group of my children,"

she said.

"It's got nothing to do with the party itself. If any party had done it I'd be equally upset."

The benefits of outrage

University of Melbourne professor of political communication Andrea Carson said she did not think it was "ideal consumption" for children, and was designed to get people talking.

"It's more for the parents of the children that it's being handed out to than it is for the children,"

she said.

"It's getting people talking about One Nation when we're on the eve of a Victorian election, which is just over the border from Mount Gambier."

Professor Carson said, in light of the attack on independent MP Helen Haines, the book did little to cool the temperature of political debate.

"It's at best satire, at worst making fun of political elites and politicians," she said.

"There's the imputation of violence, even if it's not directly depicted.

"They're scenes that don't pass muster as being for children."

One Nation MP Jason Virgo represents MacKillop, the state electorate to the north of Mount Gambier, but visited the show booth over the course of the two-day event.

He said he was a "guest" of the One Nation stall during his visit to the show.

"During that time volunteers were handing out a range of merchandise, some of which I understand was satirical in nature," he said.

"I make no comment on the content, as my role as a visiting MP was to connect with the community on matters that impact those who live and work in the MacKillop electorate."

Mr Virgo said he did not give out One Nation merchandise at stalls run in his electorate.