A Queensland political candidate whose sign was defaced to resemble Adolf Hitler has been criticized after he shared a photo of the graffiti to promote a German festival.
Far North Queensland LNP candidate for Barron River Bree James shared an image on Facebook on Saturday showing herself next to her defaced campaign banner.
Vandals had spray-painted Ms James’ upper lip to resemble Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s toothbrush-like moustache.
Ms James stood smiling next to the defaced banner and used the photo to promote the German Festival at the German Club in Cairns.
“The German Festival is on until late tonight at the German Club in Cairns,” Ms James wrote.
‘Live music, delicious German food and drinks, lots of fun for the whole family including free face painting!
“Even my banner gets into the spirit and celebrates my German heritage.”
Ms James’ post received a barrage of comments, with many criticizing the candidate for ‘celebrating’ Germany’s dark history.
LNP candidate for Barron River Bree James was slammed after she shared a photo of her defaced campaign poster which featured a Hitler-style mustache to ‘celebrate’ her German heritage
Ms James deleted the post and apologised, claiming it was an attempt to ‘clarify the vandalism’ and promote the German festival (Mrs James (L) pictured at the festival with her mother (r))
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford labeled the Facebook post “disturbing and bizarre.”
“There is nothing to celebrate about Hitler, Nazi Germany or the SS Death Squad,” Crawford told the paper Courier mail.
“I would have taken the banner down in minutes. She left it for a week and then posted on Facebook about celebrating the ‘spirit’ of that dark chapter of German history.”
Ms James deleted the post just minutes after it was shared on social media and also apologised.
She added that she deeply regretted sharing the post because it was an attempt to “make light of the vandalism.”
“It was offensive, it wasn’t funny, I sincerely regret posting it and the post has been deleted. I am deeply sorry to anyone I have offended,” Ms James said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms James for comment.
Ms James previously faced criticism after sharing a series of photos from a fundraiser she organized in response to Tropical Cyclone Larry in 2006 in December last year.
The photos showed a man standing on a stage wearing an SS helmet, next to two other men in army fatigues.