The state election has been and gone, but a looming Labor sign may indicate otherwise for South Launceston drivers.
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The placard hung by new Bass member of the House of Assembly Janie Finlay sits above the former Petuna building on the corner of Howick and Wellington streets.
But the former Launceston mayor has claimed it is not a state election sign, and does not breach the 7-day post election limit for removing signs.
However Ms Finlay said every single one of her election signs were taken down after the May 1 election.
"This single sign has remained in place with my name and picture on it just like all the other electorate offices around town have names and pictures on them," she said.
"It's doesn't even say vote for me. Just my name and picture."
Launceston council general manager Michael Stretton said the regulations state candidates must remove election signage within seven days of the relevant election.
"While the majority of candidates take care to display their election signage in accordance with the rules, the City of Launceston occasionally receives and responds to complaints about signage outside election periods," Mr Stretton said.
"The council prefers not to issue infringements, but may confiscate signage or remind a candidate to remove signage where necessary."
"The City of Launceston has recently been made aware of the election sign in question and has written to the candidate to remind them about its removal.
"While the Council can issue fines of up to two penalty units, it's our preference to remind candidates of their obligations in the first instance."
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission allows councils to administer their own regulations about election signs.
Ms Finlay said the former Petuna seafood building below the sign would be the site of her new office with a lease locked in.
"It will have my name and professional signwriting then," she said.
Ms Finlay polled 5830 votes in the election and was the fifth person elected to Bass after preferences.
She was first elected to the Launceston City Council in 2000 and was mayor from 2002 to 2005 when she was the youngest female mayor in Australia.
Nick Clark
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
