New push to stop vans
CAMPER vans donning offensive slogans are still regularly seen on Tasmanian roads despite being banned in April last year and the state’s peak tourism body is now moving to start national action against the practice.
Last year, legislation was passed by State Parliament banning vehicles registered in this state from carrying the offensive slogans following community concern regarding Wicked Campers. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles can cancel the registration of the vehicle if a complaint is made to the Advertising Standards Board but it is believed no Wicked Campers are registered in Tasmania.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania boss Luke Martin said there had been recent sightings around the state of campers displaying sexually explicit and discriminatory phrases.
“The other day I had to explain to my inquisitive sixyear-old daughter what exactly ‘Cancer has never looked so sexy’ meant after we pulled in next to a hire car parked at a popular tourist spot in southern Tasmania with exactly that sprayed across it,’’ Mr Martin said.
“Late last year I travelled behind a van heading into Freycinet National Park with the words ‘If you do it for loot, you a prostitoot’ emblazoned across its rear. Unfortunately most of, if not all, these vans and vehicles are not registered in Tasmania and we can’t stop them crossing Bass Strait.”
Queensland has introduced legislation targeting offensive slogans on Wicked Campers and, while there are discussions about a national crackdown, the approach is not Australia-wide.
Mr Martin said he would raise the issue at the Australian Tourism Industry Council meeting in Perth this week and hoped each state council would lobby their respective tourism ministers.
“If other states adopted Tasmania’s response we would effectively draw a line in the sand across the country for this particular company and other ‘edgy’ operators in the tourism industry,” he said.
“This particular company is not and has never been tourism accredited in Tasmania, and beyond urging our visitors to look at other great Tasmanian rental van companies, there is not much we can do locally.”
Wicked Campers could not be contacted for comment.