There’s fresh concern around the number of vandals targeting Geelong Council candidate signage as we approach local election time.
Hamlyn Heights ward candidate Angela Carr is the latest to be targeted in Bell Park, with as many as four signs defaced or completely destroyed on a Hughes St shopping strip.
Ms Carr is a Socialist Alliance candidate and is the only female nominated in the ward, with her signs reportedly targeted last month.
Spokesman for the Socialist Alliance Tim Gooden said the vandalism on posters is problematic for councillors wanting to run their campaigns.
“There’s a number of locations where election signage is getting stolen, torn down or graffitied,” Mr Gooden said.
“One location in particular we’ve had four signs put up there now and a person keeps attacking them with a knife, set fire to them and spraying paint on them.
“It’s quite disturbing that someone’s running around the street with a knife cutting up election posters.
“It’s outrageous that someone’s doing this.
“We’ve got a six week window of democracy where everyone gets to put up their material and the Geelong community get to decide who they want running the council.
“To have to deal with hate and people being destructive and violent at a time like this is awful.”
Mr Gooden said he has reported the malicious damage of election signs to Victorian Police and the Victorian Electoral Commission.
It follows other attacks on fellow candidates including Stretch Kontelj, who’s running for a spot in the Kardinia ward.
In August Mr Kontelj out up a $500 reward for anyone who was able to provide information on the defacing of his campaign posters.
