Three candidates running in the Wentworth by-election have accused the Liberal pick of playing dirty by removing hundreds of their campaign posters from the streets.
Labor's Tim Murray, independent Kerryn Phelps and Justice Party candidate Ben Forsyth have all taken aim at Dave Sharma's team over the disappearance of their posters around Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Mr Murray attacked Mr Sharma on Twitter and even alleged Labor posters were taken down and replaced with Mr Sharma's.
He shared two photos — one showing a power pole with Mr Murray's poster attached, and then another showing Mr Sharma's in its place.
"Civility lasted nine days," Mr Murray said.
"I expected better … Mr Sharma's team took down hundreds of our posters."
Dr Phelps said her posters along Moore Park Road, Ocean Street, New South Head Road were stolen last night.
"It is disgraceful conduct," she said.
Both Dr Phelps and Mr Forsyth said the loss of their posters was a huge cost to their campaign.
"Hundreds of dollars worth of signs taken down illegally. Great start to an honest campaign!" Mr Forsyth said.
The head of the Justice Party, senator Derryn Hinch, also condemned the actions, calling the Liberal team a "real dirty pool".
"About 40 posters which a small party on tiny budget can hardly afford," he said.
"It really is low life … Libs know we don't have money."
Both Dr Phelps and Mr Murray said they have reported the matter to police.
However a spokesperson for NSW Police said they had not received an official complaint and they were not investigating the incident.
A Liberal spokesman told the ABC they do not know anything more about the allegations than what has been said on social media.
"We don't know who has done it," he said.
"And [we] absolutely condemn any such misconduct."
If any individuals are found to be responsible they should be dealt with appropriately, the spokesman said.
A spokesman for the Australian Electoral Commission [AEC] said there was "nothing in the Commonwealth Electoral Act that covers this issue".
He said it was "not part of the AEC's scope" but it could fall under the scope of another authority.
The Wentworth by-election will be held on October 20.
