Pretty much like clockwork, even before the closing date for nominations, nerves are fraying over campaign signs for the September 10 council election. Only a couple of months ago the same thing happened over signs that appeared for federal election campaign.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
During the federal campaign the initial complaint was the election posters had gone up before they were strictly allowed. After the election, just as we thought the dust was settling, it was an issue over missing campaign material that made the headlines.
For most of us, it all looked pretty silly. The raw fact most politicians probably don’t appreciate is that most regular folk see these signs as a blight on the landscape – one pollie being the exception.
Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash is not happy with the appearance of signs proclaiming “Gash must go” that appear to be connected with the New Shoalhaven Independents (NSI) team head by former mayor Greg Watson.
She vented her displeasure with the signs in a sharp exchange with NSI ward 2 candidate Mitchell Pakes in a Culburra Beach cafe on Sunday. Mr Pakes (pictured) responded by saying they were part of politics. He says the exchange spoilt the breakfast he was having with his wife.
The anti-Gash signs do appear to be proliferating. They are not particularly attractive and clearly a lot less money has been spent on them than the more professional looking Gash campaign posters. And they are certainly part of the negative campaign strategy the NSI team has embarked upon.
It’s hardly the first time a negative campaign has been waged at any level of government. The democratic process is noisy and at times unsightly but our politicians – especially one as seasoned as Joanna Gash – probably need to be a little more thick skinned.
She has traded on the very good reputation she earned as Gilmore MP from 1996 to 2012 by calling her council group Team Gash. Her name has become a brand so naturally her opponents are trying their best to take the gloss of that brand.
At the end of the day, these minor squabbles about campaign posters and political sledging will probably count for little at the ballot box.
Most voters will ask themselves if council services have been satisfactory, if roads are up to scratch and rates and other charges seem like a fair deal. And they will vote accordingly.