Howls of protest when Wollongong council reminded residents that there are laws governing the display of election poster signs in people's front yards. Some claim that displaying a sign supporting a candidate - or a political party - is a form of " free speech ".
This law is quite reasonable. Residents may display such signs within twenty-eight days of an election without having to get council approval - and they must be removed within fourteen days of that event being held.
Looking at past history - removal of political signage has been almost universally disregarded, and that includes signage illegally tacked to power poles and those displayed on such structures as overhead bridges and railway property.
Once the election is over there are winners - and losers. Both have no interest in cleaning up the mess they leave behind, and that usually then descends on the public purse. It costs money for the council or various government departments to remove signs - and pay tip fees.
The same people who cry foul when reminded that there are laws in place to regulate signs would be the first to complain if their neighbour decided that money was to be made leasing the front yard for a major billboard - and thus destroying the suburban nature of an otherwise idyllic street.
And there are others who consider that none of the contestants for parliament have sufficient merit to be even considered for a sign in their front yard !
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