PREMIER Anna Bligh has weighed in on the Wicked campervan debate, saying a slogan spotted in Cairns is racist and will damage Australia's international reputation. 

Tourism and advertising bodies and anti-discrimination groups are outraged at the campervan’s "Save a Whale – Harpoon a Jap" slogan.

But yesterday Wicked general manager Dave Kinkead refused to take the van off the streets.

He instead challenged Premier Bligh to make a formal complaint to the Advertising Standards Bureau – the body which has asked Cairns residents to provide photographic evidence so it can investigate claims the van breaches racial discrimination standards.

Mr Kinkead said the word "Jap" was written on the van beacuse of an "issue of real estate for the back of the door", where the full word could not fit.

"I know the last time she (Premier Bligh) said she was going to make a complaint but never got around to it," Mr Kinkead said.

"Lots of spin but no action. Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the van."

The ASB said seven complaints, including Ms Bligh’s general complaint, had been made about Wicked vans.

Chief executive officer Alison Abernethy said a complaint was made about another Wicked van yesterday, but none was made about the Japanese slogan.

The complaint was in relation to a van describing "the perfect woman" and reportedly referred to graphic susggestions of sexual availability.

She said two complaints about Wicked slogans have been upheld and four had been dismissed.

Earlier yesterday, Premier Bligh said she would "stamp out" the controversial slogans and encouraged Cairns residents to complain.

"I don’t think there is any doubt that this slogan on a van in Cairns is racism and racism has no place in Queensland," she said.

"I think it is important to reassure the people of Japan that Japanese tourists are welcomed with open arms here in Queensland and no more warmly than they are in Cairns."

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