South Australian election 2018: Political candidates illegally putting campaign posters up early

IT’S exactly four weeks from the March 17 State Election but political candidates are jumping the gun in the race, illegally putting up election posters hours too early this morning.

IT’S exactly four weeks from the March 17 State Election but political candidates are jumping the gun in the race, illegally putting up election posters hours too early this morning.

Volunteers were spotted putting both Labor MP Tom Kenyon and Liberal MP Rachel Sanderson’s election posters, known as corflutes, up in their electorates, hours before they were officially allowed to be erected at 5pm.

In an unrelated political press conference this morning, The Advertiser asked Premier Jay Weatherill if he was aware of candidates illegally putting up material this morning, to which he replied “no”.

But only minutes later, a person was spotted in Mr Kenyon’s electorate of Newland, putting up posters.

Adelaide MP Rachel Sanderson puts up 2017 state election posters too early. Source: @mikesmithson7/Twitter.

According to the Local Government Association of South Australia, candidates are not permitted to display political advertising more than 28 days before the election.

“The earliest state election signage can be affixed to roadside infrastructure owned by DPTI and SAPN is 5pm Friday 16 February 2 018,” LGA Executive Director Public Affairs Lisa Teburea said.

“These signs must be removed within 48 hours of the polls closing on 17 March.

“Councils are authorised to contact parties and candidates that put up corflutes outside of the election period, and request that they are taken down. They can also expiate and even prosecute for noncompliance.”

TWO wrongs make a right??
Labor MPs also breaking poster erection rules. Stampede to get pole position. Or should it be ‘poll’ position. Why have any rules if pollies don’t care? @7NewsAdelaide 6PM pic.twitter.com/5E7M7zPQ2x

— Mike Smithson (@mikesmithson7) February 16, 2018

Dignity Party MLC Kelly Vincent today tweeted her frustration about parties putting up campaign material early.

“Hey, @alpsa & @LiberalSAHQ, want to stop getting in trouble for putting up corflutes early? Easy. Follow @DignityParty policy and ban them. Waste of funds, environmental disaster, distraction, and tell us nothing about policy,” she wrote.

Hey, @alpsa & @LiberalSAHQ, want to stop getting in trouble for putting up corflutes early? Easy. Follow @DignityParty policy and ban them. Waste of funds, environmental disaster, distraction, and tell us nothing about policy.

— Kelly Vincent 🏳️‍🌈 (@KellyMLC) February 15, 2018