One Nation Spence candidate Linda Champion’s campaign posters vandalised despite offering cash reward for dobbing in those responsible

Despite offering a $500 reward to dob in a vandal, a One Nation candidate believes her election signs have become a target because of her husband’s “black face” saga.

A candidate whose posters have been defaced during the election campaign believes the vandalism could be retribution for a “black face” controversy her husband was embroiled in.

One Nation’s Spence candidate Linda Champion has had six of her 200 signs defaced during her self-funded campaign.

Ms Champion said there was a chance one instance, where her face was spray painted black, could have been a slight in the wake of images of her husband in “black face” in 2012 emerging online.

Pauline Hanson with candidate for Spence Linda Champion during a walk around at Woolworths Elizabeth Shopping centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

She said she had been told another at least two instances, where a black “Z” was drawn over her face, was a Nazi sign.

“I don’t know what to make of it, whether or not they’re calling me Nazi. When you’re not one you don’t take it,” she said.

The black “Z” also become an early emblem of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ms Champion said she was glad she removed the vandalised signs when she learnt of the possible links.

A vandalised campaign sign of Spence One Nation candidate Linda Champion which she says could be a quip at her husband’s 2012 “black face” scandal. Pictures: Supplied

A vandalised campaign sign of Spence One Nation candidate Linda Champion which she says could relate to Nazism. Pictures: Supplied

As a One Nation candidate Ms Champion, a recently graduated lawyer, has wholly self-funded her campaign including buying her own signs.

She said they cost about $8 each and the amount she had access to was finite meaning every one that was vandalised was a kick in the guts.

“It is a lot to deal with. When you’re self-funded you can’t replace them,” Ms Champion said.

“Whatever funds I have now have to go elsewhere.

“As they’re coming down there’s no time to put more up.

“It does end up harming me financially.”

In an effort to keep her signs safe Ms Champion, at the beginning of the campaign, offered a $500 reward “for anyone that can provide information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone that damages or removes my signs”.

The offer still stands but she said had so far yielded her no results.

Early in the campaign, the office of Boothy Liberal candidate Dr Rachel Swift was graffitied in what she termed an “extremist and criminal attacks” by climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion.

According to a spokesperson, the Australian Electoral Commission has no powers to respond to campaign signage vandalism and it is typically either a police or local council matter.

Ms Champion’s election campaign has been arduous, with the “black face” drama emerging just days after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson joined her at Elizabeth City Centre to great fanfare.

While at the centre Ms Hanson spoke to a transgender woman who left the conversation feeling despondent after she was told it was a “choice” to transition and voiced views transgender women should not be allowed to compete in women’s sport.