Disappointment from both sides after signs torn down in lead up to Voice to Parliament referendum

Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s Oscar Colbung wants to invite those who tore down the organisation’s signs supporting the Yes campaign to come in and have a yarn leading up to the referendum.

SAC installed the signs at its Chester Pass Road office mid-last week and by Friday the cable ties attaching them to a fence had been cut with the signs left lying on the ground.

Mr Colbung said he was disappointed as people and organisations have the right to advertise during the campaign.

“Unfortunately, we’ve started to see the nastiness coming out and there is no need for it,” he said.

“Have your say at the booth and get on with your own business, if you don’t want to vote for it then you’re entitled to do that.

“It’s your democratic right to vote however you want to, but don’t try and stop other people from doing what they want.”

The signs, which had been attached to the fence between SAC’s office and the neighbouring lunch bar, were found on the ground of the carpark with the cable ties cut.

Mr Colbung said the interference with the signs was “sad” as “what is being asked for is not going to affect the wider community”.

He said anyone who was still unsure about the Voice could come into the office to have a “yarn” instead of tearing down signs.

“They can ask us to clarify this or that for them,” he said.

“Come in to get some clarity about what the Voice is about, don’t go vandalising stuff instead of getting information.

“If you’re unsure, come and ask.”

O’Connor MP Rick Wilson joined SAC in condemning the removal of the signs.

“While I am encouraging constituents around my vast O’Connor electorate to vote No in the referendum, we live in a democratic country and it’s important that everybody has the opportunity to express their opinion,” he said.

“As a member of parliament whose promotional signs were vandalised at the last election, I know how disappointed SAC must feel.

“I meet regularly with SAC and support their right to express themselves without fear of harassment.”

SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said she hoped people would continue to be kind and compassionate in the final week leading up to the October 14 referendum.

Ms Bhat said she believed the Voice would create “real and practical change” having seen effective programs that improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians, only for them to be discontinued.

“The Voice would give First Nations people the power to provide feedback about such programs and will make things more efficient overall,” she said.

More than 2.2 million Australians voted during the first week of early voting for the referendum last week.

The early voting centre in Albany is located at 120 York Street with the next nearest centre in Manjimup.

It will be open from 8.30am to 5.30pm each day until Thursday and will remain open until 6pm on Friday.