‘All they know’: LNP powerbrokers throw barbs over vandalised signage

Accusations that Labor supporters defaced campaign signs for a rival candidate around Cairns have been strongly denied by the ALP’s candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith.

ALP candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith has condemned vandalism of rival Jeremy Neal’s campaign signage. Picture: Samuel Davis

Accusations that Labor supporters defaced campaign signs for a rival candidate around Cairns have been strongly denied by the ALP’s candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith.

The LNP’s Jeremy Neal discovered around half-a-dozen prominent signs had been vandalised on Monday morning with vulgar and racist comments strewn across the Coalition’s yellow-and-blue branding.

Around half-a-dozen of LNP candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal's signs have been vandalised with party members accusing Labor supporters of destroying the campaign material. Picture: Supplied

The party’s regional campaign coordinator, Tamara Shroj took to social media soon after, pointing the finger squarely at their main opponent’s backers.

“When Labor/Unions can’t win on policies, they vandalise,” Ms Shroj said on Facebook. “Absolutely sick of their dirty tactics this election, but it’s all they know.”

LNP supporter Trent Twomey echoed Ms Shroj’s comments.

“I have never in 25 years of voting seen the extreme left of politics be so dangerous,” Mr Twomey said.

“Vulgar, racist slurs and hate crimes have no place in Australian politics. Something has to change.”

Senator Murray Watt and ALP candidate for Leichhardt at Cairns TAFE on Monday morning. Picture: Samuel Davis

Mr Smith condemned the vandals’ actions and rejected any claims that the ALP or unions had been involved.

“That’s not flash,” Mr Smith said. “People can’t be doing that. I can categorically deny that we’ve had anything to do with that.

“Defacing campaign posters is illegal and I hope whoever’s done it gets caught. It’s wrong.”

Mr Neal’s campaign material was being collected on Monday morning. Picture: Supplied

The large signs have since been removed. Picture: Supplied

Mr Neal, whose party recently pledged $375m to tackle organised crime, illegal drugs and child sex offenders, if elected, said he didn’t know who the culprits were.

“We’ve got a sign company taking care of them right now,” he said.

“When I woke up this morning I heard that it had happened. In the grand scheme of the crime epidemic that we’re experiencing this is nothing.

“A lot of people get disgruntled over politics. It just seems that the dirty tactics are coming from the unions. I’m personally not saying I know who did it.”

The paramedic said he would be busy campaigning with the seat of Leichhardt still considered too close to call.

“My job is to talk to voters and keep pushing our crime policies because that’s what’s really hurting people at the moment,” he said.

Originally published as ‘All they know’: LNP powerbrokers throw barbs over vandalised signage