The Age: Memo to political campaigners: remember Barbra Streisand’s mansion, 25th March 2022
Article by Tony Wright
Excerpt about Zoe
Those responsible for the recent attempt to stop supporters of independent candidate Zoe Daniel erecting political campaign signs in the Melbourne bayside electorate of Goldstein must have missed the memo.
The seat is currently held by Liberal Tim Wilson, Assistant Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction.
In February, Wilson wrote to constituents inviting them to dob in householders displaying pro-Daniel signs, claiming it was unlawful to do so until the federal election was called.
His letter gained publicity way beyond the electorate, supercharged by social media. Much of the commentary wasn’t entirely complimentary.
Bayside City Council, which covers the electorate, initially backed the right of Daniel’s supporters to political expression but then flipped, threatening to issue $909 fines to residents who displayed her signs.
This put the council in the awkward position of being the only body in the state to have taken such a stance. Ever.
If anyone had been unsure about who Daniel was, they were in no doubt once this Streisand Effect willy-willy blew into a cyclone.
