Vandalism and Online Attacks on the Rise in Local Politics

Vandalism and online attacks on election candidates and businesses have become increasingly common in local politics, with several hopefuls in the City of Greater Bendigo Council Lockwood by-election reporting incidents of defacement and theft.

Lockwood by-election candidate Ajay Mishra said several of his signs had been defaced and a local business had been threatened for supporting his campaign. "[They're] targeting the local businesses and the local private properties. That is where the concern is for someone supporting my campaign," he said. "People should not go and target the local businesses."

University of Melbourne associate professor Aaron Martin said academics had observed "a decrease in civility" in Australian politics. Dr Martin said "outgroup hostility", where people feel negative attitudes or show aggression to people who belong to a different political group, had become common in the United States and was now observed in Australia.

"Part of it is the social media component of it and these algorithms that sort of tell people, 'Yes, you're right to feel that way and here's information that supports that view,'" he said. "And it is somewhat troubling that people are doing that because people should be free, and feel free, to support whatever political candidate is aligned with their preferences and interests."

While there is not a law specifically against vandalising election signage, a person caught damaging someone else’s property can be charged with the summary offence of wilful damage or the indictable offence of criminal damage. If the damage is under $5,000 in value, and the person is found guilty of wilful damage, they can face a fine of up to $5,227.50 or six months in jail.

Fellow candidate David Thorpe said he had witnessed an increase in racism during this election campaign. MaryAnn Martinek said she had seen at least one election sign ripped off its post and she had installed security cameras at a Kangaroo Flat veterans retreat she helped run because of suspicious people loitering nearby.

Victoria Police confirmed it was investigating the incident with the sign, and it had received two reports of people flying drones over properties and loitering near a house.

State Liberal Party MP Nicole Werner took to social media last week to call out people stealing the signs in her electorate of Warrandyte. "I'm putting you on notice; consider this neighbourhood watch. Stop stealing my sign; it's the fourth or fifth time you've stolen my sign," she told her followers in the social media post. "I have to keep buying new ones and having to personally replace them."

The Victorian Greens state office said a number of candidates across the state had some of its corflutes go missing or get vandalised. "In a democracy, everyone should have the opportunity to have a go; to stand up for what they believe in, advocate for their community, and be treated safely and respectfully," the party said in a statement.

The Victorian Electoral Commission said results for the Lockwood by-election would be available from October 14 at the earliest.