MEDIA RELEASE

     NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

6 February 2006

BY WALKING IN RUNDLE MALL TODAY AS A HUMAN SANDWICH BOARD, MP FACES ARREST BY DEFYING COUNCIL BAN

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon will today defy an Adelaide City Council (ACC) ban on ‘political’ billboards by walking in Rundle Mall wearing a sandwich board.

Mr Xenophon was due to be a ‘human sandwich board’ last Thursday by hiring a Walkabout Signs billboard suit – but he was told at the 11^th hour by the ACC that ‘political’ signs are prohibited. He was also told that he faced being ordered off the mall by Council Inspectors, and if he refused to leave the Police could be called.

As he can no longer use the Walkabout sign Mr Xenophon has spent the weekend arranging for a new ‘sandwich board suit’ being made from scratch.

“This ban is unfair. There is nothing on the sign that is remotely offensive, yet the ACC has taken it upon itself to stifle reasonable political communication. I’ll be defying this ridiculous ban – I hope the Council sees sense and backs down.”

Nick will start his sandwich board walk at noon at the Gawler Place canopy.