In Townsville , it seems it is okay for the MP for Herbert, Ewen Jones (LNP) , with no military credentials , except foolishly tossing a hand-grenade about at Lavarack Barracks during a visit by PM Malcolm Turnbull , providing what was termed "comic relief", to use Anzac Day for political purposes, yet distinguished former serving military men standing for election have been told by the ADF not to use photographs of themselves in uniform in political billboards and posters.
The above advertisement for Anzac Day services throughout the Townsville area in the Townsville Bulletin shows a beaming Jones, under a large slouch hat , delivering a royal we personal message.
Running along the bottom : Authorised by Ewen Jones MP, Ground Floor ... clearly an opportunistic advertisement for Jones.
A number of people believe the Townsville Bulletin should have run the local services information as a matter of normal public service , maybe the RSL, not Jones in an advertisement clearly using the slouch hat and Anzac Day for a political purpose.
In the WA seat of Canning, Andrew Hastie (Liberal ) was sacked by the Army reserves for refusing to take down billboards that showed him in his uniform. Hastie told the West Australian that former Army Chief , retired Lieutenant-General David Morrison, had "politicised the ADF long before I ever put my mug on a billboard". He added that the now Australian of the Year had "hastened my exit from the Army into politics".
The Brisbane Labor candidate , Pat O'Neill , a former Army major , is also facing dismissal from the reserves for failing to meet his promise to take down similar billboards . A Defence spokesman said administrative action could be taken against him.
The Labor candidate in Eden Monaro, Mike Kelly, has used images of himself in uniform in pamphlets but on the inside pages, not on billboards or posters. A former defence materiel minister, he is reported as saying : "I have always complied with ADF requests and instructions in relation to campaign activities … It is my understanding that using photos of myself with no other ADF members in low-key material amongst a mix of photos is perfectly acceptable."As a member of the standby reserve, he said he would comply with any Defence instructions.
