The Liberal Party will take a Melbourne council to court, after a stoush over campaign signs at a pre-polling booth came to a head this morning.
Officers from Boroondara Council attended a pre-polling station on High Street in Kew earlier today and removed “non-permitted advertising” displayed by Kooyong Liberal Candidate Amelia Hamer.
The council had enforced a one-sign per party rule outside the polling station this year, following previous concerns the volume of political advertising was blocking the footpath and posing a safety risk to pedestrians.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Coalition campaign said the Liberal Party was seeking the support of the courts to “stop the Council from acting unlawfully”.
“Four electorates can vote at the Kew early voting location (Kooyong, Melbourne, Chisholm, Menzies), however the Teal-run Council will only “permit” one candidate A-frame, hindering the Liberal candidates for the other three electorates and for the Senate from fairly participating in the democratic process,” the spokesperson said.
“It also prevents parties from enfranchising voters who may speak a language other than English.”
“The Teal-run Council’s lawyers have already conceded in correspondence that the Commonwealth Constitution over-rides local regulations.”
Boroondara Council’s mayor Sophie Torney unsuccessfully ran as a teal independent candidate for the seat of Kew in the 2022 state election.
There is no evidence that the council’s actions were politically motivated.
All candidates were informed of the trading permit rules in writing prior to the election, as well as once the election was called, according to Boroondara Council.
It’s understood Hamer was the only candidate not to comply with the restrictions.
Yesterday, The Liberals threatened legal action if the council did not withdraw the permit requirements and restrictions by 3pm yesterday.
Boroondara Council said it will ”consider all applications for more advertising quickly and on their merits”.
“Council’s focus is ensuring public safety, clear pedestrian access, and amenity,” a council spokesperson said.
“We hope candidates understand this focus on public safety, access, and amenity and comply with these requirements.”
