Two Wyndham council election candidates have called for police and the Local Government Inspectorate to investigate “appalling” and “sick” brochures which have circulated in the municipality.
The black and white brochures, which have been seen by Star Weekly, include defamatory and untrue allegations about two Iramoo ward candidates – independent Justin Colee and long-time councillor and former mayor Peter Maynard.
One of the brochures includes explicit content. Neither includes the name and address of who authorised their publication, as required by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Mr Colee, a first-time candidate, said he was “absolutely appalled” when a friend alerted him to the brochure, after finding it in their postbox.
“I’m really hurt and destroyed as a person,” he said.
“I just want to say how hurt I am – I’ve never ever seen anything done like this, not to anyone.
“I don’t even know why someone would do this.
“I don’t know what people get out of that sort of nonsense.”
Mr Colee and Cr Maynard said the brochures appear to have been deliberately placed in the letterboxes of some election nominees and candidate’s supporters.
Cr Maynard said he had received one of the brochures in his mail and about eight to 10 Wyndham residents, who are displaying his election corflute signs on their properties, had also received one.
“I think there needs to be an investigation into the doings of some candidates, this is inexcusable,” Cr Maynard said.
He described the brochures as “sick”.
“This is Australia – it doesn’t matter who runs for council, any ridgy-didge person in the community can run,” he said.
“I wish all those that run a good campaign and a fair campaign all the best.”
Mr Colee and Cr Maynard both said they would report the brochures to the police and the Local Government Inspectorate.
Postal voting for the council election closed on Friday.
