25 September 2020

Corflute creativity goes well beyond ACT election

| Michael Weaver
Join the conversation
4
Election corflutes

Election corflutes. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Thousands upon thousands of corflutes are littering the ACT ahead of the 17 October election, and while most remain intact, others have succumbed to strong winds, poor placement, voter anger or bad driving.

But what happens to them when the sun sets on election 2020?

Outside of the 100-metre corflute-free zone at polling places, the short answer is they must be removed within 48 hours of polling booths closing but they often have a lifespan that goes well beyond the political careers of many ACT politicians.

READ ALSO Corflute congestion drives a stake through voters’ hearts

ACT Labor Party secretary and campaign director Mel James said there are high stakes in the best uses of corflutes post-election and their office had already fielded calls from community groups who wanted to use them.

“It may come as no surprise that the most common use for a corflute after an election campaign is actually as a corflute,” Mel told Region Media.

“We also donate them to a lot of schools, community groups and sporting groups who paint over them and use them for different things.

“One of the more creative uses we’ve come across has been from a request to use them as a lightbox for photography.”

Minor party candidate with the Canberra Progressives in the seat of Yerrabi, Bethany Williams, said she intends to keep the 50 corflutes she ordered, although a number of them have already gone missing.

“I don’t want to throw them out just in case I do contest another election, but they cost about $10 each and then you need stakes and something to affix them. Then there’s the time it takes to get them all out,” Bethany said.

She also wrote last week that corflutes are more important to independent and minor party candidates because they have no other way of being noticed. Her article in RiotACT also attracted a raft of comments.

“If only any of the corflutes actually provided us with any information about what any of them stand for, besides ‘Gooderer and Betterer’,” said one of the commenters.

READ MORE If you’re complaining about corflutes, spare a thought for the minor parties

The ACT Greens say their corflutes are only displayed in the front yards of individual households who choose to display them and are made from 100 per cent recycled material, which can then be placed in a yellow recycling bin.

Corflutes repurposed to guard a tree sappling

Corflutes repurposed by Labor candidate for Kurrajong in 2016 Josh Ceridmas. Photo: Supplied.

Mel James said their ‘corflute army’ tracks where each is placed and have even received phone calls from constituents to correct the imbalance of Labor and Liberal corflutes in a particular area.

“We think the best use of them is to protect small trees, while I know others who have used them to build a chicken coup,” Mel said.

“One of our other candidates donated them to a pediatric hospital which used them for artwork in one of their wards.”

Another perennial problem is that corflutes get defaced, slashed or simply knocked over through people’s disdain for them (or the candidate).

“Lots of people don’t like them and take it into their own hands to get rid of them, but equally, people will let us know where we need to get them out. Some people don’t even notice them and some only know there’s an election on when they see the corflutes,” Mel said.

The final word goes to a RiotACT reader who made this observation about corflutes: “Take note of who you see the most signs for, then put them last on the ticket. And write a letter to the individual and party to tell them why.”

The ACT election will be held on 17 October. Technically, corflutes must be removed by 6:00 pm, Monday, 19 October.

Join the conversation

4
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Ban political corflutes like they have in South Australia.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.