Battle over ex-ABC reporter Zoe Daniel election signs goes to court

An ex-ABC reporter-turned-political candidate has taken on a Melbourne council in court after a stoush erupted over a sign ahead of the undeclared election.

An ex-ABC reporter-turned-political candidate has taken a blue-ribbon Melbourne council to court after a stoush erupted over an election sign.

Former journalist Zoe Daniel’s is standing as an independent in the seat of Goldstein against incumbent Liberal MP Tim Wilson.

Her campaign manager Keith Badger has taken Bayside City Council to the Supreme Court where he argued on Wednesday he should be allowed to display a sign publicising Ms Daniel’s campaign ahead of the election.

Former ABC journalist Zoe Daniel is now running as an independent in the seat of Goldstein in Melbourne, against Liberal MP Tim Wilson.

The controversy broke after the council reversed a decision allowing the signs to be displayed and has now determined they cannot be put up until June 3, unless an election is called earlier.

On March 1 the council hand delivered letters to residents demanding they remove or cover signs within two days or risk a fine, according to court documents.

During the hearing, lawyers argued about whether the signs could be displayed because it related to an event even though the date was not specified and breached the implied freedom of political communication in Australia.

Zoe Daniel’s campaign manager Keith Badger is fighting a council over the move to bar signs until the election is called. Photo: Facebook

The Daniel sign publicised the former reporter as an intended candidate, and did not publicise the election itself as an event, according to submissions aired in court.

Justice John Dixon said there could be wide ranging implications from his decisions that would impact other councils.

“The consequence … will have implications across the whole state,” he said.

He will hand down his decision at a later date.

Originally published as Battle over ex-ABC reporter Zoe Daniel election signs goes to court