Bell Park butcher Tony Siketa caught on camera vandalising council candidate’s poster before hosting event for her rival Eddy Kontelj

A well-known Geelong businessman has been caught on camera defacing a female council candidate’s posters just days before he hosted an event for her key rival. SEE THE VIDEO.

A well-known Geelong butcher has been caught on camera defacing the posters of a council candidate just days before he hosted an event for her key rival.

As campaigning for seats at City Hall ramps up ahead of voting opening next week, a camera caught Siketa Meats’ Tony Siketa vandalising a sign promoting Angela Carr.

Ms Carr is a Socialist Alliance candidate standing in the Hamlyn Heights ward against long-serving councillor Eddy Kontelj.

She is the only female councillor nominated in the newly created ward.

Mr Siketa was caught in a sting after the Socialist Alliance installed the camera on Hughes St when two other posters had been stolen and damaged.

The damage has been reported to Victoria Police and the Victorian Electoral Commission.

The complaint alleges that Mr Siketa removed, cut out, burned and graffitied Ms Carr’s election posters along the Hughes St shopping strip between September 18-25.

Tony Siketa in 2020. Picture: Alan Barber.

Footage shows Mr Siketa attempting to set fire to the poster, as well as defacing it, about 7pm on September 25.

Two days later, Mr Kontelj posted a photo on social media posing alongside Mr Siketa to promote a “meet and greet” at Siketa Meats on September 28.

Tony Siketa was caught on camera defacing one of Angela Carr’s posters.

Siketa Meats is located just one door up from the property at which the signs were erected with the owner’s permission.

The Geelong Advertiser is not suggesting Mr Kontelj, who was contacted for comment, has done anything wrong.

Confronted on Wednesday with a still image of him committing the act, Mr Siketa said he only defaced the poster once and was not involved with the earlier damage.

He also claimed to have only used a marker to deface the poster, however, the footage shows him attempting to use a lighter.

Mr Siketa said he regretted his actions but added that he didn’t realise he had broken any laws.

John Siketa and Eddy Kontelj promoting a meet and greet. Source: Facebook

Mr Siketa denied being affiliated with any council candidate, despite having Mr Kontelj’s poster in his shopfront.

He said he would’ve allowed a poster promoting Ms Carr, had she asked.

Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Ms Carr said she was disappointed her posters had been hit.

“I’m a community services worker, I’m not backed by big business, so I’m frustrated that my signs are being stolen or destroyed,” she said.

One of the damaged posters promoting Angela Carr.

“It’s a gutless act and completely undemocratic, we all have a right to run for election, it’s not acceptable.”

Socialist Alliance spokesman Tim Gooden described the vandalism as “appalling and quite disturbing”.

“I think it is terrible that someone is walking around the streets with a big knife and barbecue lighter slashing and burning election posters,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s a good look ... to be seen allegedly cutting the face in a poster of the only woman candidate in the ward.”

Incumbent councillor and Kardinia ward candidate Peter Murrihy labelled the act as “disgraceful” on social media.

In August, Mr Kontelj’s brother and fellow Kardinia ward hopeful Stretch Kontelj offered a $500 reward for anyone who provided information to police that led to someone being charged for stealing or defacing his campaign posters.

He described the perpetrators as “gutless wonders”.

Originally published as Bell Park butcher Tony Siketa caught on camera vandalising council candidate’s poster before hosting event for her rival Eddy Kontelj