By Parker McKenzie
Candidates in the Casey election have asked for supporters and the local community to stop vandalising campaign signage.
Several election signs from different candidates across the political spectrum have been vandalised since the election was called. After a Greens sign was removed and thrown into a creek on April 10, a sign belonging to Liberal candidate for Casey Aaron Violi was defaced with profanity.
Independent candidate for Casey Claire Ferres Miles took to Twitter on April 23 to denounce the defacement of Mr Violi’s sign.
“We can’t control the actions of others but we can control what we do next, and the standard we walk past. Graffiti, profanity and destruction of campaign signage is not acceptable,” she said.
“Each of the 11 candidates in the federal electorate of Casey have a right to promote their candidacy with signage located on private land compliant with bylaws.”
Mr Violi said it was disappointing to see multiple signs damaged for different candidates.
“It is disappointing to see candidates in the upcoming election having signs vandalised and I condemn anyone who engages in political vandalism or vandalism of any kind.” he said.
Greens candidate Jenny Game expressed her disappointment about the damage to her campaign signs to the Star Mail on April 14.
“We will never know who did it – it may be targeted, or it may be random and impulsive – having said that, it is a destructive act, and not in the spirit of democracy,” Ms Game said.
“I stand for saving and protecting – local forests and the planet – not destruction.”
