Election posters for CLP Karama candidate Brian O’Gallagher set alight, threatening suburban home

QUICK thinking early morning fishermen have saved a front yard at Malak from going up in flames after vandals set fire to election posters.

Posters belonging to CLP Karama candidate Brian O’Gallagher (right) that were attached to the fence of a Bayfield Road house owned by John Lillywhite and Pat Hogan (left) were engulfed in flames when spotted by passing anglers in the early hours of Friday morning. Picture: Che Chorley

QUICK thinking early morning fishermen have saved a front yard at Malak from going up in flames after vandals set fire to election posters.

Two banks of posters belonging to the Country Liberal Party’s Karama candidate Brian O’Gallagher, that were attached to the fence of a house in Bayfield Road, were engulfed in flames when spotted by passing anglers in the early hours of Friday morning.

They extinguished the blaze that was licking dangerously at palm trees in the tropical garden.

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Homeowner Pat Hogan was furious about the early attack.

She said she had lived at the same address for 35 years and anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour was out of control in the area.

“I had to put up a six foot high fence to protect my house when my car was stolen and even that hasn’t stopped them from still trying to rob us … now this has happened,” she said.

“Thank heavens those fishermen were passing by because the fire could have got right out of control.”

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CLP Karama candidate Brian O’Gallagher, who is the former deputy chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce NT, said he had had other election posters vandalised.

“Whether or not this is politically motivated I can’t say for sure but what I can say for sure is that northern suburbs crime is still out of control,” Mr O’Gallagher said.

“Anyone who lives in the suburbs knows that.”