23-04-2025
'Violent' vandalism targets women vying for election in federal seat of Calare
Two female candidates vying for the federal seat of Calare say they believe their campaigns have been "violently" targeted due to their gender.
Corflutes belonging to male candidates have been stripped from fences at Orange in the NSW Central West but those belonging to Labor's Julie Cunningham and Independent Kate Hook have been torn up.
Two poles were also put through an image of Ms Hook's face, while racist remarks were written on another poster.
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"It is disappointing when it seems to be conveying a bit of violence," Ms Hook said.
"
If one person has a bit of an issue with a woman running in the election then maybe that would drive them to do that.
"
Ms Hook believes the vandalism may be gender-related.
(
ABC Central West: Hamish Cole
)
It is the latest act of vandalism in the area during the election, with NSW Police investigating the theft of corflutes and drawings of Nazi-symbols on billboards.
Ms Cunningham agreed the latest incident was a "violent" act, which was "unacceptable".
"Some of the features of the damage and vandalism that occurred is really concerning and was very clearly directed at female candidates,"
she said.
"We have already seen within Australia the high rates of women being killed and subject to violence and we don't need this in an election campaign."
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More than a dozen corflutes were vandalised on the corner of Summer and Woodward Street in Orange.
The seat of Calare is seen as critical in the Coalition's bid to win the election, after incumbent MP Andrew Gee defected from the Nationals to the crossbench in 2022.
More than a dozen corflutes have been damaged on the corner of Summer and Woodward streets.
(
ABC Central West: Hamish Cole
)
Vandalism within the election
Earlier this year,
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"That is inexcusable by anyone … an election is a contest of ideas and it is part of the great democracy that we have in this country," Mr Farraway said.
"
Whether it was the Swastikas put over my corflutes or people's corflutes being stolen or defaced — it's not on.
"
Ms Cunningham has reported the latest act of vandalism to police.
"It is really important that we adhere to and protect all aspects of the democratic process," she said.
"They (the corflutes) are an important part of the democratic process … [so] that voters can understand who is available to vote for — it (vandalism) is just unnecessary."
A sign at the entrance to Orange linking Independent Kate Hook with the prime minister.
(
ABC Central West: Hamish Cole
)
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