'Cowardly and senseless' signs under investigation by AEC

The fake signs erected outside Goulburn cemetery. Photo: Facebook, Penny Ackery for Hume.

Independent for Hume Penny Ackery has hit out at fake corflutes put up at a Goulburn cemetery, in what she has labelled a “cowardly and senseless attack”.

She said the signs were put up on the fence of the cemetery where she buried her husband a few weeks ago.

They were discovered and removed by midday on Friday 6 May.

“This is part of a coordinated, national campaign to try and discredit myself and other Independent candidates around the country,” Ms Ackery said.

“Please be on the lookout for signs spreading misinformation about my independence in our electorate of Hume.”

Another example of the fake signs. Photo: AEC.

The signs in question suggest Ms Ackery is part of the Greens Party.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has confirmed it is investigating the incident.

“On Friday 6 May the Australian Electoral Commission received reports regarding a range of unauthorised candidate corflute signs appearing across a number of electoral divisions,” a media release said.

“These signs are in breach of commonwealth electoral laws as they do not contain an authorisation statement, a requirement of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to ensure voters know who is communicating with them.

“The signs depict a range of election candidates in a style that would suggest they have been produced by the candidates depicted. They also feature names and/or logos of political parties that have not formally endorsed the candidates in question – party names that will not feature next to those particular candidates’ names on ballot papers.

“In some cases, there have also been unauthorised stickers featuring party logos or statements affixed to the signage of other candidates.”

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that while there is freedom of political communication in Australian federal elections, authorisation laws are critical and must be adhered to.

“This is a very serious matter and we are exploring all avenues possible to get to the source of the signage,” he said.

The matter has been referred to the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce for investigation. As part of this investigation, information is being sought directly from relevant entities and examined to determine the source.

If anyone has information regarding any of the signage’s placement location, timing of placement or production please provide it via the AEC contact web form. Tip offs can also be submitted anonymously via the AEC’s fraud contact options.