Blue Mountains City Council cracks down on anti-Labor signs ahead of federal electionDBy Declan BowringABC Radio SydneyTopic:Australian Federal Elections55m ago55 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 5:29amThe signs have been seen in the Blue Mountains and in the Ryde area. (ABC Radio Sydney: Declan Bowring)In short:Anti-Labor signs have been taken down in the Blue Mountains because they were on public land without permission.The signs were authorised by the leader of a micro-party in Victoria that is not running candidates at the election.What's next?Blue Mountains City Council says it is considering whether to take further enforcement action.abc.net.au/news/blue-mountains-anti-labor-signs-removed-federal-election/105237904Link copiedShareShare articleElectronic signs calling for voters to put Labor last on ballots at this weekend's federal election have been removed by a New South Wales council.The signs, which flashed the message "Make Australia Happy, Put Labor Last", were on public land in the Blue Mountains and were identified as being a potential distraction for drivers on the highways that run through the area.Stay updated:Federal election live updates: Get the latest news from the campaign trailCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenThey were authorised by the leader of a micro-party in Victoria that is not running candidates at this weekend's poll.Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill told ABC Radio Sydney no permission was sought to install the signs on public land."We have rules about placing political signage on public property and those rules are, simply, that you don't do it," he said."The other issue is that some of these signs were dangerously located."They were a distraction to drivers on the highway where we already have issues."The signs were authorised by Freedom Party leader Morgan Jonas. (ABC Radio Sydney: Declan Bowring)The Labor mayor said when council rangers approached the company involved it told them the client had legal advice saying the signs could be on public land.The council asked to see evidence of the advice but said it was not produced.The council says Freedom Party leader Morgan Jonas agreed to have the signs removed.A spokesperson for Blue Mountains City Council said it was considering whether to take enforcement action.Alex Morris from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said the signs complied with electoral laws because they bore stickers with authorisation details.The signs had strips of tape bearing handwritten authorisation. (ABC Radio Sydney: Declan Bowring)'Obscure rules'ABC Radio Sydney has seen multiple examples of authorisation handwritten on duct tape stuck on the bottom corner of the signs. The stickers were barely visible from a moving vehicle but Mr Morris said they were compliant because the law only requires the authorisation to be legible if approached by someone walking up to it."It's one of those obscure rules in the Electoral Act," Mr Morris told ABC Radio Sydney."I think the idea in the legislation is that someone could park and pull over, review the sign that way."The signs were switched off after Blue Mountains City Council said they could not be on public land without permission. (ABC Radio Sydney: Declan Bowring)Mr Morris said regulations regarding the use of public land were a matter for councils and state governments.Similar electronic signs have been seen in the closely-fought seat of Bennelong, the Sydney's Ryde area.The City of Ryde council for comment.The Freedom Party re-registered with the Victorian Electoral Commission late last year but is not registered with the AEC.Mr Jonas was recently cautioned by the AEC for running only partially authorised signs that mostly attacked Labor candidates in multiple states.He has been contacted for comment.Posted 55m ago55 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 5:29amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says LIVEPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborBREAKINGPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceDutton hints at campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Peter Dutton election shadowsErin Patterson tried to persuade ex to attend fatal lunch, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows Simon Patterson walks through a sunlit carpark, dressed in a black suit and blue tie.Nampijinpa Price contradicts Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsPhoto shows Jacinta Price speaks while Dutton stands behind her listening. 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