Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson has asked Victoria Police to urgently investigate a spate of systemic vandalism targeting the Liberal’s campaign signs in Corangamite.
“In a democracy such as ours, this criminal behaviour cannot be tolerated. Stephanie Asher’s signs have been stolen and defaced with graffiti including Nazi swastika-like symbols. On some signs, the photograph of Stephanie’s face has been cut out,” Senator Henderson said.
“On the day when the Victorian Liberal’s proposal to ban the Nazi swastika has been accepted, this deeply offensive, criminal behaviour must be stopped.”
I estimate around 45 Steph Asher signs have been damaged including one with a tell-tale Labor campaign sticker promoting Labor’s Opposition Leader. Ten large signs and fifteen small signs have been stolen.”
“This is the work of our political opponents. I have seen no evidence of any vandalism of Labor signs.”
“Overnight, there’s been an orchestrated vandalism blitz with six large Liberal signs damaged. These vandals arrive in the dead of night intent on causing maximum damage.
“I believe we need tougher electoral laws to stop this criminal behaviour such as requiring all candidates, including members of parliament, to certify that they will report any criminal behaviour concerning their nomination of which they become aware.”
This shameful behaviour must end.
At the last federal election, I suffered a similar fate with my campaign signs. Since 2016, anonymous trolls supporting Corangamite’s Labor MP have subjected me to ongoing harassment and abuse which has triggered a police investigation.
I will continue to fight the vandals and trolls who are an affront to our democracy.