Daniel Andrews is accused of photoshopping a telling detail out of a picture of him and his family voting – as he’s grilled over ‘insulting snub’ to his electorate by casting early ballot in the CBD
- A vocal critic has called out Premier Dan Andrews over ‘airbrushing’ an image
- Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett said a sign in a photo of him was doctored
- The image posted by the premier on Thursday shows him voting with his family
- An ‘exit sign’ above his head appears to have been washed out in the picture
- Mr Kennett posted the same image, clearly showing the green emergency sign
- But a graphic designer thinks Mr Kennett’s image of the sign has been pasted in
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been publicly accused of photoshopping a symbolic ‘exit’ sign out of a photo showing him voting early with his family.
But graphic design experts have questioned the claims, which were levelled on Twitter by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett on Friday.
Mr Kennett tweeted an image of Mr Andrews and his family casting his ballot, saying: ‘Look who airbrushed out the exit sign when they privately voted and then posted their voting on social media.
‘Not only did he not have the courage to vote with his constituents, they falsified the picture. Says everything does it not? Certainly on the way out!’
Mr Kennett shared an alternative image where the green emergency exit sign clearly hangs over Mr Andrews’ head.
The photo shows Premier Dan Andrews voting alongside his family (pictured) at a polling booth on Thursday outside his electorate. But some critics are claiming a green emergency exit sign behind the premier had been ‘airbrushed’ out of the photo
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett took to his social media (pictured) on Friday accusing Mr Andrews of doctoring the image to alter the sign – but graphic designers questioned the picture
However, a graphic design expert suggested to the Daily Mail Australia that all may not be as it seems.
‘In our opinion Dan Andrews hasn’t photoshopped the exit sign out – the photographer’s flash has blown out all the white,’ she said.
‘It looks like someone has copied and pasted the exit sign over the top.’
Mr Andrews shared the picture of him voting early in the Melbourne CBD on Thursday – rather than in Mulgrave, the seat in the city’s south-east he represents.
Mr Andrews was called out for voting early by Mr Kennett – who slammed it as an ‘insult’ to his constituents that he failed to ‘have the decency’ to vote in his seat.
But the premier fired back at Mr Kennett at a press conference on Friday.
‘I’ve got nothing to say to Mr Kennett,’ he answered. ‘My electorate remembers the school closures, my electorate remembers the sackings that Mr Kennett was so proud to deliver to the good people of Mulgrave.’
Meanwhile, his opponent independent Ian Cook is mounting a strong challenge in the seat. Mr Andrews said he is simply too busy to vote in his own electorate on Election Day.
‘Like so many other Victorians, we’ve got a few things happening on Saturday so we voted early and on the way to somewhere else.’
Labor is forecast to lose a dozen seats at the weekend – which could lead the party to rely on the Greens to cling to power.
Meanwhile, other signs showing Mr Andrews could be driven out of government came out as his own constituents in the traditional Labor stronghold turned out in force to support his independent rival on Thursday
Independent Ian Cook (pictured) shakes hands with voters on Thursday outside the Mulgrave early voting centre
Daily Mail Australia spoke to dozens of constituents in Andrews’ traditional Labor stronghold on Thursday who are voting for his independent rival.
Situated just across the highway from Mr Andrews’ electoral office, Daily Mail Australia attended the electorate’s early voting centre to conduct our own mini-poll.
Not a single person questioned was voting for Mr Andrews.
Librarian Tracy Jenkins (pictured) admitted she had always voted for Mr Andrews – until now
Between 1-3pm, Daily Mail Australia spoke to a random selection of 35 people, of all ages, genders and backgrounds, as they darted in and around of the Noble Park North voting centre.
One of the voters, librarian Tracy Jenkins, said she had always voted for Mr Andrews until now.
‘I haven’t gone for him this time. I normally do, but I believe there is a strong presence here of another independent. Mr Cook. I met him today and I’m impressed,’ she said.