Billboards in the ACT might be banned but the image of two Muslim girls celebrating Australia Day that became so mired in controversy could find its way onto banners around the territory.
ACT Greens politician Shane Rattenbury said the territory government was looking at ways it could get behind the push to restore an Australia Day billboard advertisement featuring Australian Muslims.
![The original image used in the controversial billboard was taken at Docklands on Australian Day 2016, and featured on ...](/web/20170129103615im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/0/5/0/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtub5e.png/1484806053150.jpg)
The #PutThemBackUp crowd funding campaign had already raised more than $130,000 at time of writing to fund billboards and full page press advertisements in cities around Australia.
But you won't see a billboard in Canberra, owing to the ACT's government's ban on the giant advertisements.
On Thursday, Mr Rattenbury said the government was examining printing physical banners or using electronic banners to promote the photo.
"When I read the news that the billboard of two Muslim girls had been taken down in Melbourne because of threats and complaints, of course I was appalled. What on earth could be offensive about two young girls celebrating their home?" Mr Rattenbury said.
"Australia is a stronger, richer country because of our diversity. Now more than ever, as some on the far right of the political spectrum seek to inflame and fear-monger about religion, culture and difference; it is crucial that we come together and celebrate our unity and our diversity.
"I would love to see the image up in the ACT and have begun conversations with my colleagues in the ACT Government to see what we can make happen."
![The controversial Australia Day billboard featuring two young girls in hijab.](/web/20170129103615im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/a/q/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtub5e.png/1484873026854.jpg)
The photograph used for the original billboard, which advertised an Australia Day event in Melbourne's Kings Domain Gardens, was taken at last year's Australia Day event at Docklands.
But outraged social media users slammed the picture for being too "politically correct", and outdoor media company QMS took down the billboard after receiving threats.
![Shane Rattenbury wanted to 'celebrate' the image of two Muslim girls in hijab last Australia Day.](/web/20170129103615im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/g/i/s/q/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtub5e.png/1484806053150.jpg)
On Thursday morning, Creative Edge executive creative director Dee Madigan, who started the campaign, told ABC Radio in Canberra she understood why the company took the billboard down but would not have done so if it was her own agency.
On the crowd funding page, she wrote: "The same groups who complain 'Muslims don't assimilate', complained about the photo OF AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA DAY."
Earlier, Mr Rattenbury tweeted his support for the campaign and said, while there were "no billboards in the ACT", he was "looking into ways to celebrate this image of Oz here too".
Fantastic campaign by @deemadigan to #PutThemBackUp. No billboards in ACT, but I'm looking into ways to celebrate this image of Oz here too pic.twitter.com/u3DKrE7eCa
— Shane Rattenbury (@ShaneRattenbury) January 18, 2017
Even Immigration Minister Peter Dutton thought the billboard was great, telling 3AW the image was what most Australians wanted people from a migrant background to be doing.
Mr Rattenbury said funds from the crowd funding campaign would not be used to fund the banners.