Adjudication No. 235 (June 1985) [1985] APC 27

ADJUDICATION No. 235 (June 1985)

Mr K. W. Speed complains of a cartoon in The Satellite, a Queensland suburban newspaper, which in five successive frames shows the Governor of the State willingly signing five bills presented to him by the Premier. The first is described as "A state of emergency to gag the umpire", the second as "Dump the independent Industrial Commission and introduce a government kangaroo court", the third as "A bill to take away a worker's right to withdraw his labour ... and his right of appeal", the fourth as "A bill to reduce working conditions and worker's wages" and the fifth as "Pay rise for State Governor".

Mr Speed's complaint is that "there is a clear implication that the Governor of Queensland is under the control of the Premier, and was happy to give vice-regal approval to legislation in return for a pay increase." The editor on the other hand says:

The cartoon was intended to illustrate the incongruity between many of the State's laws passed at that time. The first four frames highlight the additional hardships faced by workers, who have no control over their wages and conditions. By contrast, as shown in the fifth frame, the Governor himself signs legislation approving his pay rise.

The editor also points out that there was no approach to the paper prior to complaint to the Press Council, and affirms that the paper remains willing to publish opposing points of view.

In the view of the council the editor has given a reasonable interpretation of the comment implied in the cartoon, and it does not carry the implication suggested by Mr Speed. The complaint is dismissed.