A SHOPFRONT stoush over window posters has landed Fremantle in the middle of a free speech flap, with Greens MLC Sophie McNeill claiming she was threatened with eviction unless political signs were pulled down.
The signs in question included slogans such as “End Israel’s illegal occupation” and “No more gas and coal” — messages the Greens say are core to their platform, but which the building’s landlord reportedly took issue with.
“We were threatened with eviction by our landlord if we didn’t take down the posters in our window,” Ms McNeill said, adding that at one point the threat was they’d have to be out by day’s end.
“They claim our posters violated the lease agreement because ‘signage’ needs to be approved by them.
“However, there is no definition of ‘signage’ in the lease.”
• Greens MLC Sophie McNeill has been told to remove signs from the front windows of her office on High Street, but next door’s grog shop can plaster their’s willy nilly. Photo
by Steve Grant
The lease for the office is negotiated through the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which did not respond to calls for comment.
Ms McNeill said the situation became even harder to swallow when compared with neighbouring tenants.
“When we asked why the ‘signage’ next door at Cellarbrations, (which the landlords also own) was ok but ours wasn’t, we were told our posters were ‘propaganda’.”
Cue raised eyebrows.
“How can advertising for alcohol be ok but standing up for human rights and action on climate change is deemed ‘propaganda’?
“We are deeply disappointed that the state government, who are the holders of our office lease, have refused to defend our implied right to political communication which is enshrined under the Australian constitution.”
While the dispute might seem like small beer — or perhaps not, given the neighbouring bottle shop — Ms McNeill said it highlighted a much bigger problem for ordinary renters.
“I’m lucky though that this is just my office we are talking about.
“There are renters all over Freo and Perth who don’t have rights in their homes, who live in fear of being kicked out if they ask their landlord for repairs.
“The Greens are proud to stand on the side of renters and fight for everyone’s freedom of political communication.”
by STEVE GRANT