The Liberal Party’s candidate for the Kooyong seat in Melbourne has launched a fresh critique against incumbent teal MP Monique Ryan, focusing on campaign signage issues. In a notable move, signs have been erected beside those of Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer urging Ryan’s supporters not to tamper with election posters. This development follows an incident where Ryan’s husband, Peter Jordan, was caught on video removing a Liberal sign from a fence.
The signage in question includes a message that reads, “Monique, please DO NOT take this sign!” Over 200 such signs have been distributed as part of Hamer’s campaign. In response to her husband’s actions, Ryan has issued an apology, stating, “It should not have happened,” and urged that any signage concerns be reported to the local council.
This incident adds to an ongoing exchange of accusations over election materials. Recently, Ryan had shared images on social media of campaign signs that had been defaced with black marker, sarcastically commenting on the need for dental care to be included in Medicare.
In the previous federal election, Ryan made headlines after defeating former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, marking a significant shift in the traditionally Liberal seat of Kooyong. However, as the new election approaches, she is encountering intensified competition from the Liberal Party, with her current margin of victory sitting at a narrow 2.2 per cent.