One Nation candidate steps down weeks before election over ‘offensive and unacceptable’ social media posts
One Nation’s candidate for Melbourne has stepped down just four weeks ahead of the state election over a series of “offensive and unacceptable” past social media comments.
Matthew Collins, the 35-year-old the far-right party candidate formerly described as “ready to represent Melbourne”, has apologised and resigned over reports of highly sexualised and Islamophobic remarks.
Matthew Collins has resigned as One Nation’s candidate for Melbourne. One Nation
A One Nation spokesperson said the party does not condone his comments and has accepted his resignation.
“One Nation Victoria has been made aware of a number of offensive comments posted on social media by our candidate for Melbourne, Matthew Collins,” the spokesperson said.
“Mr Collins acknowledges his comments were offensive and unacceptable, and One Nation Victoria has accepted his resignation from his candidacy.”
In a statement, Collins said he was “very sorry for the unacceptable comments that I made”.
“They are not reflective of who I am as a person now and I deeply regret ever having made them,” he said.
Collins’ resignation has left the far-right party without a candidate in the Greens-held seat just 27 days out from election day.
The deadline for candidates to nominate for the election is midday on November 9, according to the Victorian Electoral Commission.
The latest Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age suggests One Nation will disrupt the election for the first time while the Coalition could end Labor’s 12-year rule.
The Coalition is leading the primary vote at 28 per cent, followed by Labor at 25 per cent, One Nation at 23 per cent and the Greens at 12 per cent.
Liberal Leader Jess Wilson is ahead of Labor’s Ben Carroll as the preferred premier at 28 to 20 points.
All parties are out swinging on the first day of election month with Labor coming out with a promise for more free dental clinics, the Coalition vowing to protect workers and empower police, and the Greens doorknocking in Richmond.
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