Signs that could land failed political hopeful in hot water

Hand painted unauthorised federal election signs advocating for the environment could land one failed political hopeful in hot water.

Justine Davis’ old NT election corflutes were used by mystery persons and repurposed for unauthorised federal election posters. Here one is positioned between Federal Labor Member for Solomon Luke Gosling’s authorised corflutes.

Unauthorised hand painted federal election signs advocating for the environment could land one failed political hopeful in hot water.

One of the home made signs painted blue and white that appeared during the recent federal election alongside the corflutes of the successful Labor Member for Solomon Luke Gosling stating “the climate has changed, now my vote will too”.

Another of the unauthorised signs appeared at an election polling site stated “honest representation. No more corruption. Vote Phil Scott”.

The signs had been repurposed from the August 2024 Northern Territory election, with branding from the Independent member for Johnston Justine Davis’s campaign visible under the whitewash paint.

Independent Johnston MLA Justine Davis’ old posters were mysteriously repurposed at the last federal election. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Ms Davis said the use of her corflutes was simply because she allowed the community to come in and collect her corflutes to recycle and reuse however they wanted.

“I’m glad to see they’re not in landfill,” she said.

Independent candidate Phil Scott said he was aware of the signs.

Mr Scott said they were not approved by his campaign.

An unauthorised repurposed election poster next Phil Scott’s authorised corflute

The Australian Electoral Commission has said failing to properly authorise election signs can result in fines.

The AEC has powers to seek civil penalties in relation to contraventions of s 321D of the Electoral Act.

The purpose of the authorisation requirements is to ensure voters know the source of certain communications likely to influence how they vote in a federal election.

Section 321D of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 requires certain communications to have an authorisation statement or message declaring details about the person or entity that is responsible for the communication.

Anyone intending to communicate regarding an electoral or political matter is responsible for ensuring their communication is appropriately authorised.

“(It’s) a case of enthusiastic community members here, as these signs weren’t approved by our campaign,” Mr Scott said.

It is unclear if the hand painted posters will incur the wrath of the Federal agency.

Originally published as Signs that could land failed political hopeful in hot water