National, Country Labour and The Greens candidates vying for the seat of Myall Lakes in this month's State election claim campaign advertising posters have and continue to be stolen, vandalised or defaced.
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Vandals have targeted posters erected along The Lakes Way, Blackhead Road, Smiths Lake, Forster Keys, Wingham Road, Chatham, Taree and Cundletown.
Great Lakes Greens Party convenor, Stephen Ballantine believed his party's messages had provoke some members of community to attack and steal them.
Mr Ballantine has reported thefts and car registration numbers to the police after a woman driving a Mercedes near the Smiths Lake turn-off and another driving a Camry at Forster Keys were witnessed stealing campaign signs last week.
"We certainly could pass it on to the electoral commission.
"We went through this two years ago with the Federal election.
"The cost involved is minimal and we prepare for it, but we don't have the resources to go around and keep putting them back up.
"We still live in a democracy in Australia and one of the essential elements of that is freedom of speech.
"While roadside campaign signs might annoy or outrage some, we Greens do have the right to present our political options to the voters in this electorate at election time."
Stealing campaign signs reinforces the observation that our opponents are intimidated by the truths The Greens talk about, Mr Ballantine said.
Country Labor Party member, Gaye Tindall said the thefts were widespread and systematic.
She believed the continued theft of the signs was now serious.
Previously
Since the start of the campaign the party has been forced to replace about 25 posters.
"This systematic theft is a crime punishable by law under NSW Electoral Commission Rules and Regulations and will incur heavy fines," Mrs Tindall said.
"Those offenders persisting in committing these crimes - if found - will be reported to the police."
She said no sooner had a series of Country Labor poster been erected along Blackhead Road, they had almost immediately been removed.
Mrs Tindall believed someone had been following party members, and as they erected posters these people removed them.
Incumbent, Stephen Bromhead sent a message of thanks to graffiti buster Ted Bickford who had been working his magic to clean up National Party election posters.
"Yes we too have also fallen victim to signs going missing, being knocked down and being defaced," a spokesperson said.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
