‘When they go low’: Clover Moore apologises as volunteer caught allegedly pulling down Indigenous rival’s corflutes

Clover Moore, the lord mayor of Sydney, faced backlash after a volunteer from her campaign was filmed allegedly removing campaign posters of her Indigenous rival, Yvonne Weldon, outside the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern. Weldon, a Wiradjuri woman, expressed her disappointment over the incident, emphasizing the hard work of her independent campaign team and condemning the behavior as unacceptable. She highlighted the need for change in the political landscape, stating that such actions reflect a broader issue of silencing diverse voices in the community. In response to the incident, Moore publicly apologized on Instagram, stating that the actions of the volunteer were inappropriate and should not have occurred. She mentioned that the volunteer was instructed to rectify the situation by replacing the removed corflutes immediately. This incident has raised concerns about the conduct of political campaigns and the treatment of Indigenous candidates in the electoral process. As the election approaches, Moore is striving to maintain her position as the longest-serving lord mayor of Sydney, with a tenure of 20 years. The upcoming council poll is significant, as it will be the first since the national housing crisis began, testing the viability of affordable housing arguments at the local level. Over 50 candidates, including Moore, have pledged support for pro-development initiatives, indicating a shift in focus towards addressing housing issues in the city. Political analysts caution against underestimating Moore's chances, despite recent media speculation about potential challengers. The incident involving the removal of corflutes may impact public perception, but it also highlights the ongoing struggle for representation and equity in local politics, particularly for Indigenous voices in Sydney.