Controversy over giant ad depicting wallaby and lion in compromising position

An advertisement in Australia depicting a wallaby in a compromising position with a lion on a field near Melbourne Airport needs to be immediately removed, a minister says.



Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au launched its Rugby 2013 Lions Tour 'Rooting for the Wallabies' campaign on Thursday with a 170m by 90m sign directly under Melbourne's international flight path. The advertisement shows a wallaby hugging a lion from behind.

Both animals are wearing the shirts of the Australian and British rugby teams and the wallaby is winking. Environment Minister Ryan Smith said the State Government and Parks Victoria weren't consulted before the ad was painted on the government-leased reserve.


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Mr Smith's spokesman, James Martin, said lease holder Living Legends horse retirement facility needed to paint over the offensive sign. "It is totally inappropriate, we will be insisting that it is removed as a matter of priority," Mr Martin said. Sportsbet.com.au said the ad shows the wallaby "cuddling" the lion.