By Jonty Ralphsmith
Local MPs are divided over the City of Casey’s denial of allowing political advertising at council-owned sporting grounds.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin has threatened to take the City of Casey to VCAT over their decision, believing signs of a political nature should be allowed to be displayed at sporting grounds as they provide clubs with crucial funds, among other benefits.
“We just want to put back into the community – stop preventing us from doing it, you’re not preventing anyone else,” Mr Battin said.
“All sides of politics are affected – not even Clive Palmer’s got enough money to put a sign up at one of these clubs because you can’t do it.”
Political advertising signage is not permitted on council active recreation reserves in the local government area despite being allowed in the nearby Cardinia Shire Council and Greater Dandenong Council.
Mr Battin has signs at grounds in the Cardinia Shire Council such as the Beaconsfield Football Club where there is no such rule in place.
He also highlighted that the signs inform locals about how to get in touch with their local member and allow political communication. He wants the issue dealt with promptly.
“I went to [the] council and said that we’ve got an opportunity to overturn this – it’s a logical decision, let’s not end up in VCAT,” he said.
“I’d prefer us to resolve it right now rather than waiting it through the election year because we’ll challenge [the decision].
“We’ll send it to VCAT and it will cost ratepayers, and blocking MPs from putting signs up is against that freedom of speech and giving the opportunity for people to have their say.”
Mr Battin raised the issue in Parliament on 10 March and asked for support from his neighbouring electorates.
“Casey Council has changed the rules in the past and they will not amend them to allow Members of Parliament to advertise at sportsgrounds,” Mr Battin told Parliament.
“Now, these are clubs that need money. They need extra support, and every dollar counts.”
“…Casey Council has to allow us to put these signs up so we can put some money back into these clubs — money that goes towards mental health programs, money that goes towards getting kids into the parks and money towards supporting young people in sport, because we know the more people are involved in sport, the less time they spend in the youth justice system.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale sponsors netball, soccer, football and baseball clubs across her electorate and was surprised by the City of Casey’s decision.
“These types of signs have been in use throughout the suburbs of Melbourne and across Victoria for decades and meet the strict approval requirements of Parliamentary services,” she said.
“I was surprised to receive an email from City of Casey that they were going to remove it, and we have looked at their policy and fail to understand their reasoning.”
Despite Mr Battin asking for their support, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, both Labor politicians, played down the importance of the issue.
“This decision is a matter for the City of Casey and, to be honest, political signs at ovals has not been high on my agenda,” Mr Maas said.
“Political advertising at sporting grounds might be a good distraction for some, but the main game is getting three tiers of government working together so that the best outcomes are achieved for our community.“
Mr Maas added that he would not be against political advertising.
“I am an advocate for free speech – with common-sense limits around discrimination and the like.
“So if candidates or MPs wish to advertise that way and it benefits the club, then so be it. It probably is not a bad thing for local democratic processes.
“Of course it has to be applied fairly across all parties. Personally, it does not restrict how I connect to the public and our local clubs.“
Mr Donnellan also stopped short of endorsing Mr Battin’s sentiment but agreed sporting clubs needed backing after the pandemic.
“I don’t think it makes a lot of difference to political outcomes but it’s about supporting the sporting clubs. That’s what sponsorship’s all about,” he said.
“The most important thing is the sponsorship that goes behind them and if there is a sign attached [to the sponsorship] that’s fine, but at the heart of it, they need the support.”
City of Casey said it was reviewing the issue.
“Council is in the process of reviewing its current advertising and promotional signage on council active recreation reserves policy, however, local laws are in place that detail the requirements for election signage on public land and the requirement to obtain a planning permit,” director community life Steve Coldham said.
“A permit is required for all signs on council land.”
Sporting clubs contacted by the Star News were divided over the issue.
One club spokesperson put it plainly: “the bigger organisations are more able to help. It would be a significant boost to us if local members could advertise. It helps the kids and that’s what we’re all about.”
However, some were more understanding of the council, highlighting that local members could support them in other ways such as grants and have done so in the past, something Mr Maas also referenced.
“I have always supported player sponsorship and any collateral endorsement or acknowledgement that the club might give to me on the basis of that sponsorship. It just seems a more efficient way for the club to receive the benefit of that money,” Mr Maas said.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams has signs at the following grounds as they are not banned in the Greater Dandenong Council: Dandenong Thunder FC, Lyndale United FC, North Dandenong Cricket Club, St Johns Old Collegians FC.
