Political parties have dodged the majority of fines expected to be handed out over illegal campaign signage throughout Canberra during the federal election period.
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City rangers removed and impounded 282 signs throughout the campaign, but less than five per cent have attracted fines following the issuing of 13 infringements late last week.
A Territory and Municipal Services spokesman said 12 of the infringements were valued at $220, while one was $1100 due to uncertainty over the person responsible for the breach.
If undisputed, the ACT Government could collect $3740 – approximately six per cent of the potential total of $62,040.
Director of City Services Fleur Flanery said the cooperation of the offending political parties meant only a small number of infringements were issued.
“In a number of situations, candidates and political parties responded to the requested action by removing or relocating the offending signs,” she said.
“However, in those cases where warnings were issued and there was no response within the set timeframe infringements have been issued.”
Ms Flanery said the majority of the fines were issued due to oversized signage, as well as incorrectly placed signs and advertising left in place after the official campaign period had ended.
The fines will be the first collected by the ACT Government following the introduction of new legislation in July, however no parties or individuals have been identified as recipients.
City rangers seized a total of 125 signs belonging to the Liberal Party during the campaign period, leading the major party count ahead of Labor at 24 and the Greens at nine.
A total of 46 signs belonging to the Community and Public Sector Union were removed and impounded, along with 36 belonging to the Palmer United Party and 14 belonging to Rise Up Australia.
City rangers seized 10 signs belonging to the Drug Law Reform Australia Party, while four signs belonging to the Stable Population Party were also removed.
The Bullet Train for Australia Party, Katter’s Australia Party and independent Senate candidate Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart each had three signs seized and impounded.
The Australian Sex Party had one sign removed, while the Voluntary Euthanasia Party and Christian Democrats had two signs seized each.