CLP candidate Tina MacFarlane reports damage to police, AEC after corflutes slashed

Up to 50 political corflutes have been slashed and trashed across Darwin. Do you think they should be banned? HAVE YOUR SAY

UPDATE: A VIOLENT slashing of election posters has left a Solomon candidate feeling frightened.

Police are investigating the vandalism of up to 50 Country Liberal Party corflutes that were damaged on the weekend in Darwin’s north.

Tina MacFarlane said posters belonging to her and the three other CLP candidates, Lingiari candidate Damien Ryan and Senate candidates Jacinta Price and Kris Civitarese were the target of “malicious” vandalism on the weekend.

“I don’t know if you have ever cut corflute, but it’s not easy. These have been slashed with something like a machete,” she said.

“It makes you a bit concerned for your safety, and I feel for these people who are being broken into every night.”

Damage to corflutes of CLP candidates has been reported to police and the Australian Electoral Commission. Picture: Supplied

Mrs MacFarlane said the “malicious attack” was an example of the Territory’s ongoing ‘crime crisis’.

“Darwin’s high crime rate is an issue that is constantly raised with me by the residents of Solomon, and this wanton act of vandalism is another example of how badly crime is out of control...” she said

“It is incomprehensible that across Darwin overnight my election posters were violently slashed, while other candidates’ posters nearby remained untouched.”

According to Mrs MacFarlane the ‘targeted attack’ undermines the democratic process of elections and she has reported it to police and the Australian Electoral Committee.

“We are meant to be having a federal election where everyone is treated equally, but this was clearly a targeted attack,” she said.

Police commander Danny Bacon said corflutes were vandalised at every election.

“Corflutes are regularly damaged or defaced...while this is no doubt frustrating for the candidates, we have no reason to suspect the safety of the candidates themselves is at risk.”

Labor have categorically denied any part in the vandalism with Luke Gosling saying none of his team were involved.

“Unfortunately, about 400 of my corflutes have been also stolen or damaged since the beginning of this campaign,” Mr Gosling said.

“Not only is this illegal interference in the electoral process and undermines our democracy, it’s also environmentally harmful, as we don’t expect the thieves to be recycling the material, as we do.”

Mr Gosling said his campaign team had also made a police report about a CLP volunteer who was spotted driving around with stolen ALP corflutes in his van at an official polling place.

“We will continue to report any illegal behaviour we identify when it comes to interference with the electoral process.”

The Liberal Democrats spokesman also said “scores” of political corflutes had been damaged over the past few weeks.

“(We) have had scores on corflutes both stolen and damaged and it is incredibly disappointing,” the spokesman said.

“(But) none of our candidates have any fears for their safety other than from a CLP campaign manager.”

The Greens als said they were disappinted to see the vandalism.

“It takes courage to put yourself forward as a candidate and everyone should respect that. Some Greens signs have been removed during the campaign but this is a different level,” said a Greens spokeman.

INITIAL: POLICE have been called in after dozens of candidate photos – known as corflutes – were slashed in Darwin’s northern suburbs at the weekend.

The Australian Electoral Commission has also been notified after the posters belonging to CLP candidates appear to have been slashed with a knife or another type of blade.

CLP Solomon candidate Tina MacFarlane said the damage was “targeted” on CLP candidates contesting the federal election.

Mrs MacFarlane said posters belonging to her and the three other CLP candidates, Lingiari candidate Damien Ryan and Senate candidates Jacinta Price and Kris Civitarese were the only corflutes targeted at the weekend.

Damage to corflutes of CLP candidates has been reported to police and the Australian Electoral Commission. Picture: Supplied

“The CLP posters were the only ones that were targeted,” Mrs MacFarlane said.

“All along McMillans Rd and at the roundabout, near Berrimah police station, at the hospital and here at CLP headquarters.

“The posters have been carved up. Slashed. I’m being targeted.

“They’ve used a knife or some sort of blade. I can’t tell exactly what it is but they’ve slashed them. It’s almost frightening the violence and the intent that went into slashing these posters.

Damage to corflutes of CLP candidates has been reported to police and the Australian Electoral Commission. Picture: Supplied

“It clearly is a deliberate attempt to target me and its frightening with the violence. They’re slashed with knives or a machete and it goes for kilometres.

“The ones in the middle of the road are not easy to get to. They’re not just knocking it down it’s quite a scary thing.”

Mrs MacFarlane said damaging candidate posters while leaving the others intact was proof the attacks were targeted.

Originally published as CLP candidate Tina MacFarlane reports damage to police, AEC after corflutes slashed