An Aboriginal Greens Senate candidate targeted by hate speech scrawled on one of his election campaign posters says racism is "everywhere", and has likened it to the common cold.
A poster for South Australian candidate Major "Moogy" Sumner — a Ngarrindjeri elder — on a fence at Port Adelaide was defaced with the words "Kill All Ab*s".
Mr Sumner was texted a photo of the vandalised corflute yesterday, and the image has also appeared on social media.
A friend of his later found the defaced poster near a Port Adelaide high school and used methylated spirits to erase the graffiti.
Mr Sumner expressed concern at the ongoing prevalence of bigotry.
"Racism is everywhere, I suppose you can say it's like the common cold these days, it's everywhere," Mr Sumner said.
"Anyone that's got a comment like that and got a racist little note they want to send to me, come and meet me. Come and say hello and I always say come and live on my side of the fence for a while."
Mr Sumner earlier said while it was "disappointing to see this crop up", it would not stop him from "standing up for what we believe in".
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014 for his contribution to the Indigenous community.
He has worked to secure the repatriation of Aboriginal ancestral remains, including 1,200 of his ancestors, which have been stored in the South Australian Museum's collection.
Greens condemn 'vile racism'
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has previously campaigned with Mr Sumner during his candidacy for Mayo ahead of last year's by-election, has condemned the attack on the "beloved and respected" elder.
"This racism is not acceptable. We need First Australians in our Parliament and they need to be able to participate without these kinds of attacks," she said.
"This does not represent South Australia. Moogy is a beloved and respected leader in our state.
"I am so proud to have such a distinguished Aboriginal elder standing shoulder to shoulder with me in this election campaign."
The Greens released a statement condemning the "vile racism" behind the vandalism.
The ABC spoke to locals in the area who said the incident did not reflect the views of the majority of South Australians.
Mr Sumner formed the Tal-Kin-Jeri dance group and is well known as a performer and cultural ambassador.
He has previously expressed a commitment to environmental issues.
"This is the only Earth we've got, even though people are trying to get to Mars. This is the one that we should be looking after," he said.
