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Liberal Zoe McKenzie’s election boards and car vandalised with ‘vile’ slogans

Footage shows the moment a culprit sprays a ‘vile’ message on Victorian Liberal candidate Zoe McKenzie’s election sign.

Liberal candidate Zoe McKenzie's car has been vandalised

A graffiti culprit has been caught on camera defacing the election signs of Liberal candidate Zoe McKenzie with vile slogans.

The offender — who appeared to be a woman — was captured on footage as they approached the sign in the seat of Flinders then wrote: ““If you had a penis you would still be a c**t”.

Wearing a head covering that obscured their face, the person walks up to the signs with their back to the camera before promptly pulling out a spray paint can, at 12.35am on Friday morning.

Rugged up on a 14C morning, the culprit is seen wearing a hooded jumper tracksuit pants and flat boots with their long hair flowing from under the head covering.

The vandal caught on camera. Picture: Supplied
The vandal caught on camera. Picture: Supplied

The Liberal candidate’s campaign car was also vandalised.

The Herald Sun has contacted Victoria Police for comment.

Vandalism part of ‘orchestrated campaign’

A Liberal candidate has been left devastated after her election signs and car were targeted by “disgraceful” graffiti, which she says is part of an “orchestrated campaign”.

In the most recent attack on Zoe McKenzie, the candidate for Flinders in Victoria, her campaign boards were defaced with the slogan: “If you had a penis you would still be a c**t”.

But the vile remarks didn’t stop there.

Ms McKenzie – who replaced former Health Minister Greg Hunt in the Victorian seat – also had her campaign car vandalised.

Zoe McKenzie, Liberal for Flinders. Her sign was sprayed with disgusting message overnight.
Zoe McKenzie, Liberal for Flinders. Her sign was sprayed with disgusting message overnight.
Zoe McKenzie’s corflute was sprayed with a disgusting message overnight.
Zoe McKenzie’s corflute was sprayed with a disgusting message overnight.

“With our campaign car being defaced overnight with the most vile language, it is now clear that there is an orchestrated campaign which goes well beyond vandalism and now includes damage to property and threatening attacks,” Ms McKenzie’s campaign spokesman said.

“It is personal, nasty and does not reflect the Peninsula community we all know and love.

“No other Flinders candidates’ signs or property has been defaced or targeted in such a way.”

The latest attack comes as vandals had daubed signs with swear words and drawn black crosses across Ms McKenzie’s eyes on Tuesday.

Greg Hunt walks with his replacement Liberal candidate for Flinders Zoe McKenzie. Picture: David Caird
Greg Hunt walks with his replacement Liberal candidate for Flinders Zoe McKenzie. Picture: David Caird

Her spokesman said police were now investigating the disturbing attacks.

“We hope that they are able to find the culprits. It is unacceptable and must stop,” he said.

“Our party and independent opponents say they want to see more women in parliament and when they get a strong female candidate, this happens.

“However, this will not stop Zoe from being out and about meeting locals on the Peninsula and listening to their ideas for our area.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with Liberal candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie. Picture: David Crosling
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with Liberal candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie. Picture: David Crosling

Several Liberal MPs were quick to throw their support behind Ms McKenzie – including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg – after she posted footage of her vandalised car on Facebook.

“Utterly disgraceful and unacceptable. The vandalism and the language is shocking,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“We expect in our democracy to be able to debate the issues in a fair and a balanced way. Australia and Australians are better than this.”

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, described the attack as “disgusting” and “cruel”.

“Very disgusting and cruel attack, hope police take this seriously and catch the nasty piece of work,” he said.

Financial Services Minister Jane Hume said: “Horrible. No one deserves this.”

Got a story tip? Email us at federalelection@news.com.au

Know some goss or seen something in your electorate? Contact us at election.confidential@news.com.au

Originally published as Liberal Zoe McKenzie’s election boards and car vandalised with ‘vile’ slogans

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/federal-election/liberal-zoe-mckenzies-election-boards-and-car-vandalised-with-vile-slogans/news-story/cc6115eb61c3f111aac0a0c4973fd24d