Premier Jay Weatherill threatens legal action against businessman Vince Scali, who is changing his name to run at state election

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has threatened legal action against a prospective rival in his safe seat of Cheltenham, foreshadowing a defamation suit over a campaign van that criticises him.

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has threatened legal action against a prospective rival in his safe seat of Cheltenham, foreshadowing a defamation suit over a campaign van that criticises him.

The Advertiser on Wednesday revealed that former Palmer United Party candidate and semi-retired real estate businessman Vince Scali plans to legally change his name to “Hadd Enuf” and run as an independent against Mr Weatherill in his western suburbs stronghold.

Mr Scali has been driving around Adelaide for several weeks in a van emblazoned with Mr Weatherill’s name, which also carries criticism of his political record and brands him a “liar”.

The van has attracted sanction from the Electoral Commission, which says it breaches multiple rules including misleading advertising.

Mr Scali has lodged a counterclaim, saying a law that limits political advertising on a “vehicle or vessel” should apply to Mr Weatherill’s campaign bus.

Mr Scali says he will comply with the Electoral Commission findings and alter his van to make it legally compliant.

He says he is considering other alterations to the van that include adding a fake nose and new slogans that claim Mr Weatherill is “on the nose”, and is preparing a new vehicle to target the Treasurer, Tom “Klutsontonis”.

Vince Scali. aka “Hadd Enuf”, and the bus that Premier Jay Weatherill may file a defamation case against. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mr Weatherill’s office yesterday declined to comment.

A copy of the legal correspondence, from city-based Bourne Lawyers on behalf of Mr Weatherill, says the Premier learnt of the bus through an article in The Advertiser.

“You have defamed him and are continuing to do so,” the lawyers say.

“The Premier’s good reputation is essential to his livelihood.

“His good reputation is essential to the work he does for his local community, including his representation of them in the Parliament of SA.

“Your conduct is obviously deliberate and calculated, designed to expose our client to public odium, scandal and contempt.”

Mr Scali, who is currently overseas, said he would “not be intimidated”.

“I will not change my behaviour,” he said. “I will modify a couple of points.

“I think they wrote to me to scare me off. My resolve is even stronger.

“Everywhere I go, I hear more despondency than ever. I’m getting a lot of support.”

Mr Weatherill holds the seat on a notionally-safe 14.4 per cent margin.

Mr Scali says he is not a member of any political party.