One political analyser has called One Nation’s decision to disendorse two candidates in the eve of the Western Australian election to be “unusual situation”.
It has been made official by Pauline Hanson’s party to no longer support Western Australian candidates Dane Sorensen and Sandy Baraiolo. The reason given for their support withdrawal is that the candidates didn’t “reach standards” that the party has for its members.
Speaking to the ABC, the One Nation state leader, Colin Tincknell, said, “Both those candidates didn’t reach the standards that we need, so we had no choice but to disendorse them”. He added, “I think both of them would’ve liked to have continued, but like I said we have a set of standards that all the other 50 candidates were fitting into.
“Unfortunately these two weren’t able to do that, so Pauline Hanson made the decision to disendorse them.”
Many have called the decision into question because they feel, include Mr Sorensen that the disendorsement stems from his criticism of the One Nation preference deal made with WA Liberals. While Mr Ticknell denied this as the case, Mr Sorensen said via a statement, “Unless he can tell you what the reason was, it would only be fair to accept that we were vehemently against the preference deal showing us to be supporters of the Liberal party”.
No comment has been made by Ms Baraiolo at this time.
With such a move at the last moment, there may be some confusion come election day as the ballots are already finalised, and One Nation will appear next to the candidates.