Campaign sign stoush: Liberal MP asks constituents to dob in people displaying Zoe Daniel material

Independent challenger Zoe Daniel claims her campaign has been cleared by Bayside City Council of prematurely erecting political signs but federal Liberal MP Tim Wilson still believes she jumped the gun.

The statement was later taken down following a complaint from the Wilson campaign that the council had incorrectly calculated the timing of the election.

Daniel is one of a crop of independent candidates backed by fundraising vehicle Climate 200 running for parliament on a platform of integrity, greater action on climate change and better treatment of women.

Although Wilson holds the blue-ribbon seat of Goldstein on an 8% margin it is threatened by the independent challenge.

On Wednesday, the council issued a statement clarifying that candidate promotion signs must not be displayed longer than three months under Victorian planning provisions.

Guardian Australia understands Wilson has appealed against the decision, on the basis of parliamentary library advice that 3 September is the deadline for the House of Representatives election, not 21 May which is the deadline for a combined lower house and Senate election.

The council statement was no longer available online on Wednesday night and the council was contacted for comment.