The short version
- One Nation Victoria candidate Chris Moore apologized for past derogatory posts but remains endorsed by the party.
- Two other candidates were recently disendorsed for offensive comments regarding Hitler, Islam, and sexual consent.
- The disparity in disciplinary actions highlights inconsistencies in the party's social media vetting process.
One Nation Victoria has decided to retain its candidate for the seat of Greenvale despite a history of posting derogatory content on social media. Chris Moore, who is running for the party in this Melbourne suburb, issued an apology after reports emerged detailing offensive comments he made between 2010 and 2012. The posts included racist slurs targeting Indian Australians, sexist remarks about former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and discriminatory statements regarding lesbians and refugees.
Moore’s online history includes sharing images that mocked women wearing burqas by comparing them to rubbish bags. He also posted captions calling Gillard a slut and made jokes about the roles of partners in lesbian relationships. Additionally, he used racial slurs against Indian Australians and expressed discomfort with a gay colleague. These posts were made on his personal Facebook page during a period when he was younger, according to his own account.
In a statement addressing the controversy, Moore characterized the posts as unthoughtful actions taken by a young man among close friends. He asserted that these views do not reflect his current character or political stance. Moore emphasized his commitment to serving the voters of Greenvale and providing them with a strong voice in the Victorian Parliament. The party leadership has accepted this explanation and has not moved to disendorse him.
This decision stands in stark contrast to recent actions taken against other One Nation candidates in Victoria. Earlier this week, the party disendorsed Franco Guardiani, its candidate for Preston. Guardiani had posted comments on a private social media account describing Adolf Hitler as the greatest of all time and claiming that importing Islam legalized pedophilia. Party leader Warren Pickering stated that Guardiani was removed immediately upon confirmation of these remarks.
Pickering expressed outrage at Guardiani’s comments, noting the heightened sensitivity surrounding persecution of Jewish Australians. Guardiani acknowledged the party’s decision, expressing disappointment but understanding the rationale behind it. This swift removal highlights a clear threshold for acceptable conduct within the party, one that Moore appears to have avoided crossing in the eyes of leadership.
Another candidate, Matthew Collins, running for the seat of Melbourne, was also disendorsed. Collins faced scrutiny over deleted social media comments involving sexual consent and pornographic jokes. He has apologized for these remarks, which were deemed unacceptable by party standards. The removal of both Guardiani and Collins underscores a selective enforcement of disciplinary measures within One Nation Victoria.
The electorate of Greenvale presents a complex political landscape for Moore. It is currently held by Iwan Walters, a Labor parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs, with a margin of 7.1 percent. The area has a significant Islamic and West Asian population, including one of the highest proportions of residents born in the Middle East. Recent election data showed a substantial swing against Labor, suggesting potential vulnerability for the incumbent.
The retention of Moore raises serious questions about the effectiveness of One Nation’s candidate vetting process. Party rules require candidates to provide personal social media accounts for review and undergo interviews with a selection panel. Despite claims of investing time and money into improving these procedures, it remains unclear how Moore’s past posts were overlooked during his selection.
As the election approaches, the disparity in treatment between Moore and other disendorsed candidates may influence voter perception. Critics argue that the party’s failure to hold Moore accountable undermines its credibility on issues of social cohesion. Supporters may view the decision as a pragmatic move to maintain a competitive field in a key seat. The outcome will likely reflect broader tensions within the party regarding ideological purity versus electoral strategy.
The situation illustrates the challenges political parties face in managing digital footprints of candidates. With social media serving as a permanent record, past indiscretions can resurface with significant consequences. One Nation Victoria’s handling of these cases suggests an inconsistent application of standards, leaving room for public debate about accountability and representation in modern politics.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗One Nation Victoria candidate apologises for slew of offensive comments about lesbians, Indians and Julia Gillard
