MLA Mark Turner, Country Liberal Party candidate Matthew Kerle exchange words following graffitied signs

After his campaign corflutes were smothered in penises, a CLP candidate told his political rival he might want to “have a word” to his volunteers. Read what happened next.

Member for Blain Mark Turner and CLP candidate for Blain Matthew Kerle exchanged words online after the latter's election corflute was graffitied with penises. Source: Facebook.

Political rivals went head to head online after a Palmerston-based candidate’s election sign was graffitied with penises.

This week, the corner of a Palmerston street was filled with election signs by both Member for Blain Mark Turner and Country Liberal Party candidate Matthew Kerle.

However, within hours of being placed, Mr Kerle’s signs were vandalised, with at least two of the candidate’s corflutes splattered with crudely-illustrated, bright red penises.

A post was uploaded onto a Woodroffe community Facebook page which showed the graffitied campaign signs.

Mr Turner responded to the post and said the graffiti was recent.

“I only put them up today that was quick work.”

The vandalism did not impress the CLP candidate for Blain, Matthew Kerle. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Soon after, Mr Kerle addressed the vandalism and took aim at his political opponent.

“You might want to have a word to your volunteers - that was my spot as you can tell from the bent droppers, someone removed my posters yesterday after vandalizing the droppers, subsequently my posters were dumped by a tree after letting a dog chew on them, and your posters were put up in their place,” he said.

“As a long serving police officer I’m sure you wouldn’t condone this kind of behaviour, you might want to talk to your (volunteers) and make sure they’re not in breach of any electoral offences.”

The graffiti was visible from the street side. Source: Facebook.

Mr Kerle said it would be a “shame” if the culprit was caught on camera.

“It would be a real shame if there was CCTV of someone vandalizing a candidate’s corflutes and putting up yours instead.”

Mr Turner shot back and said his family were his volunteers.

“I’m independent. My volunteers are all my children,” he said.

“I’m sorry you’re offended by the plastic signs. Would you like me to move them somewhere else.”

Independent MLA Mark Turner says the graffiti is “inappropriate”. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Turner also shared the post to his followers and denounced the graffiti, saying he full supported Mr Kerle in “raising his concerns”.

“I wanted to address an incident that’s come to my attention,” he said.

“The CLP candidate for Blain has unfortunately been the target of some inappropriate graffiti, and it’s not acceptable to draw phallic symbols on people’s faces.

“(This) kind of behaviour is unacceptable, offensive and disrespectful.”

Originally published as MLA Mark Turner, Country Liberal Party candidate Matthew Kerle exchange words following graffitied signs