Hawthorn publican gets creative to defy ‘teal-run’ council over Monique Ryan sign

A Hawthorn publican has devised a cheeky way to keep Boroondara Council off his back after being ordered to remove a billboard calling out Kooyong MP Monique Ryan’s voting record.

A Hawthorn publican who was ordered by the local “teal-run” council to remove a 10m billboard calling out Kooyong MP Monique Ryan’s voting record with the Greens has come up with a cheeky idea to get the council off his back.

Joe Rumoro, owner of Hawthorn’s Tower Hotel, controversially allowed the Liberal Party to erect a 10m billboard on the side of his popular Burwood Rd pub reading “Monique Ryan votes: 77 per cent with Greens”.

The move immediately attracted a swarm of teal volunteers, who protested below the huge sign, while Dr Ryan took aim at PeterDutton, accusing the Liberal leader of “playing tricksy, misleading politics”.

After a series of complaints, Boroondara Council ruled that it did not comply with the conditions of Mr Rumoro’splanning permit and demanded that he take down “all signage on the land not relating to the hotel”.

Mr Rumoro is now selling special stubby holders at the pub that match the billboard. Picture: Supplied

In a noncompliance letter, obtained by the Herald Sun, the council warned that the failure to comply “renders you and the company liable to prosecution”.

In an audacious bid to keep the sign up, Mr Rumoro is now selling special stubby holders at the pub that match the billboard.

The special holders, sold for a cheeky $7.77, read “Monique, please DO NOT steal this beer”.

Teal volunteers protest outside the Tower Hotel, where the Liberal Party posted a billboard highlighting Monique Ryan’s voting record. Picture: Supplied

Mr Rumoro, who has engaged lawyers, told the Herald Sun the demand was part of a “political hit job by the Teals”.

“First it was pinching Pete, now they’re trying to take my sign too,” Mr Rumoro said, referring to a viral video of Dr Ryan’s husband, Peter Jordan, stealing a Liberal Party sign from a Camberwell front yard.

“I’ve had political signs up on the pub before, no one said a thing.”

Pub owner Joe Rumoro has been ordered by council to remove the sign. Picture: Tony Gough

The publican said the council was being “run by the teals” who were trying to “silence their opponents”, noting Boroondara Council Mayor Sophie Torney was a former Teal Independent candidate for the state seat of Kew.

Councillor and Teal heavyweight, Rob Baillieu — the son of former Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu — is also a senior member of the council team, and active critic of Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer on social media.

Boroondara Mayor Sophie Torney with Peter Jordan, husband of Kooyong MP Monique Ryan. Picture: Facebook

In his response to the demand, Mr Rumoro argued that decisions made by Dr Ryan “directly and indirectly affect the use of the land”.

“Among other things, the Member for Kooyong makes decisions relating to excise rates payable on alcoholic beverages, taxes paid by the operator of the Tower Hotel, federal environmental approvals for the use of the land, and a range other matters that affect the premises and the business that operates there,” he wrote.

A City of Boroondara spokesman denied any political interference.

“Councillors are not involved in the review of political signage in any way,” he said.

“The advertising is simply not compliant with rules that are clearly laid out on our website and in our planning scheme.”

Dr Ryan’s team declined to comment.

Originally published as Hawthorn publican gets creative to defy ‘teal-run’ council over Monique Ryan sign