School distances itself from Labor campaign material

LABOR has again had to ditch campaign material for one of its candidates, this time over the use of children in school uniform.

Aspley candidate Bart Mellish (left) with Bill Shorten and Wayne Swan, meeting locals at the Geebung RSL on November 8. Picture: AAP /Steve Pohlner

LABOR has again had to ditch campaign material for one of its candidates, this time over the use of children in school uniform.

An ALP spokesman confirmed it had used a photograph of school children in the St Paul’s School uniform in campaign materials for its Aspley candidate Bart Mellish.

The party said it had the permission of everyone in the photograph but the school complained.

Some brochures were then accidentally distributed causing the school to issue a statement distancing itself from the campaign materials.

Aspley candidate Bart Mellish (left) with Bill Shorten and Wayne Swan, meeting locals at the Geebung RSL on November 8. Picture: AAP /Steve Pohlner

The party ditched how-to-vote cards printed for Pine Rivers MP Nikki Boyd after she had preferenced a bikie third. Picture: David Alexander

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was quizzed on the issue today and said she would investigate. The party then issued a statement.

“The ALP received a complaint from the School and, as a matter of courtesy, has not used the photo any further,” the statement read.

“A brochure for delivery to the electorate had been lodged with Australian Post five days prior to the complaint, and some of those brochures were distributed after the complaint was received.

“The use of this photo is similar to candidates from all political parties.”

It comes after the party ditched how-to-vote cards printed for Pine Rivers MP Nikki Boyd after The Courier-Mail revealed she had preferenced a bikie third, over the LNP.

Ms Palaszczuk directed the preferences be changed to place Rebels bikie Mick Kosenko second last, above One Nation, instead.

Originally published as School distances itself from Labor campaign material