In the circumstances, that was most unlikely as the target audience of Triple J does not include the judiciary. In the circumstances, especially given the sensitivity which many powerful people have to criticism and the desire of some to bolster their superannuation, a reminder of the interaction between public humour and defamation law seems timely. Since the publication of anything which tends to make a person appear ridiculous is actionable, humorous publications can obviously be defamatory. A person who is the butt of a joke will not necessarily be amused, and might be grievously wounded. Humour is probably the most effective method of ridicule.
Satirical humour can be devastating.
Defamation by ridicule need not be verbal. It can occur by pictorial representation, even by gestures, intonation and expression. Even words of praise are actionable if irony is discernible. If humorous material is protected, it is because it makes it apparent that the literal meaning is not intended to be taken seriously. Protection is not accorded to a humorous publication merely because it is funny.