Craig Garland has become the third Tasmanian federal election candidate in three days caught up in an  illegal signage drama. Like Nationals Senator Steve Martin and Senate hopeful Jacqui Lambie, independent Mr Garland was found to have temporary signage in place which breached council rules. Council planning schemes generally only allow temporary election signage to be in place between the issuing of the writ for an election and two weeks after the poll. The writ for the election, likely to be held in May, is yet to be issued. A trailer with a sign saying "Vote one Garland Craig" was placed near a roundabout in the Latrobe municipality. It was being removed on Thursday morning when The Advocate's photographer arrived. That followed stories about Senator Martin and Ms Lambie's issues with standing signs in the previous two days. Mr Garland said the sign had been placed by a farmer who supported him. He said Senator Martin rang him about the sign on Wednesday afternoon and Mr Garland asked for it to be removed. Asked if the rules were too bureaucratic, Mr Garland said he was getting T-shirts printed and inquired of the Australian Electoral Commission if they had to have authorisation printed on them. He said one section of the guidelines said any political advertising had to have authorisation, and another section said it was not needed for T-shirts and the like. He said he would add the authorisation to make sure he was covered. The Devonport City Council asked Senator Martin to remove his signs. Lambie signage within the Burnie municipality was taken down. While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
