Aussie councillor erupts over 'reverse graffiti' act on footpath: 'Incredibly cheeky'

Yahoo

11-04-2025

Early voting in the upcoming federal election opens in less than two weeks as petty games of party politics play out in suburbs around the country with some candidates being accused of dirty tricks. Or in this case, kind of the opposite.
The deputy mayor of Woollahra, in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs, has slammed his local federal member for advertising her candidacy by washing advertisements into dirty footpaths in the local area, seemingly with a high-grade pressure hose.
Councillor Sean Carmichael took to social media to condemn the move by 'Teal' independent Allegra Spender who currently holds the seat formerly held by Malcolm Turnbull.
The deputy mayor said council enlisted workers to remove what he described as "nine acts of reverse graffiti" on Thursday night.
"This is council property that has been defaced with what is clearly, in substance, graffiti," he told Yahoo News.
The councillor said the advertisements could technically breach rules from the Australian Electoral Commission. "Well it's not got an authorisation on it ... all election material must have who has authorised it."
Related: Labor, Albanese extend leads in latest election poll
Calling the tactic "unacceptable" in a local Facebook group, the deputy mayor complained it was "quite difficult to remove without industrial grade machinery".
"These defaced concrete footpaths are otherwise in satisfactory condition. The implied argument they are dirty and needing cleaning is - in my own view - incredibly cheeky, and does not pass," he wrote.
When contacted by Yahoo, Allegra Spender's team questioned the use of local ratepayers' money to remove the messages with further pressure washing.
"The messages are created with water pressure, that actually cleans dirt off the footpath. It's disappointing that the Liberal Party controlled council is misusing ratepayers' money to remove a political opponent's messages. The messages are temporary and fade away naturally," a campaign spokesperson said.
Speaking to Yahoo, Cr Carmichael said it was not a technique he has ever seen before and hopes it does not become the norm.
"Do we really need to go down this path, pardon the pun... We just don't need to be doing this," he said.
Ms Spender entered parliament at the previous federal election in 2022, and was among a wave of so-called teal candidates to dislodge incumbent Liberal members. In the upcoming federal poll, on May 3, some observers suggest independent candidates could even replicate such success in the state of Queensland, including in Peter Dutton's seat of Dickson where he is being challenged by both a strong Labor candidate and independent Ellie Smith. If the latter were to prevail it would be the first time an independent candidate has ever toppled a federal opposition leader.
READ MORE: Down to the wire, Dutton faces fight to hold his own seat
A record number of people are expected to have their say in the upcoming election, as candidates get ready to find out where their names will appear on the ballots.
The number of people enrolled to vote has reached a new high at almost 18,098,797, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) revealed on Friday.
Compared to the 2022 election, about 870,000 more people have been enrolled, representing a five per cent rise.
According to the AEC, In the 11 days following the announcement of the election, it added approximately 85,000 new voters to the roll, and helped more than 419,000 other voters to update their enrolment details. It also brought Australia's youth enrolment rate to 92 per cent.
"We're particularly focused on Australia's youth enrolment rates, and I'm pleased to report that it's now extremely healthy," Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said. "Well done, Australia."
with AAP
Do you have a story tip? Email: [e-mail].
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.