Media release – 21 August 2010
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Major parties hog polling booths, compromising democracy
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Greens Senate candidate for NSW Lee Rhiannon says polling booths across
Sydney are being dominated by the major parties’ election material, with
plastic wrap on school fences and corflutes slathering booths and denying
smaller parties and independent candidates an even playing field.
“It’s undemocratic for the major parties to use their election war chest to
dominate booths with expensive advertising material. All candidates should
be able to share the school fence on voting day,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“There are no restrictions at a Federal election governing the size of
banners and posters that can grace polling booths, unlike during State
elections where electoral laws restrict banner and posters to 8,000 square
cms.
“What we see today is Labor and the Coaliton drowning booths with plastic
wrap and hundreds of corflutes, disadvantaging independent and minor party
candidates and creating tension on the booths as campaign volunteers vie for
space.
“In Grayndler in Sydney’s Inner West Anthony Albanese has trucks, vans,
gazebos and booths crowded with material, with some telegraph poles groaning
under 10 Labor corflutes. In past elections Mr Albanese has hired cherry
pickers to decorate Marrickville Town Hall.
“Similar scenes can be witnessed across Sydney and as far a field as
Katoomba and Coffs Harbour.
“Liberal Malcolm Turnbull in Wentworth has printed his posters on a green
background, rejecting Liberal colours and smothering all the booths.
“In Bennelong the Liberals are out in force, dressed in green shirts with
‘Green Army’ on the front.
“They are handing out flyers with a picture of Bob Brown noting he doesn’t
like preference deals. On the back they contrast the ALP and Liberal’s
record on the environment, putting the Liberals on top.
“In Cowper on the mid-North coast there are at least 20 cars towing boats,
which are covered in signs warning against voting for the Greens and Labor”,
said Ms Rhiannon.
*Contact: Lee Rhiannon 0432 332 104*