More details are emerging of extremist and racist content regularly shared inside a Telegram channel that has been linked to an outspoken and recently dumped Liberal Party candidate for this year’s federal election.
Former soldier Benjamin Britton was this week disendorsed for the New South Wales seat of Whitlam, with the Liberal Party saying his comments opposing women being allowed in military combat roles were not consistent with its policies.
While Mr Britton has defended his views, arguing they align with other prominent Liberal MPs, the ABC has uncovered evidence of antisemitic and other extreme conspiracy theories shared inside a private Telegram group he joined in 2022.
Screenshots from the Telegram Channel “Illawarra No Passports Required” reveal the group contains more than 250 members and appears to be used to organise anti-vaccine and Freedom Movement protests in the Wollongong area.
Several members of the channel regularly promote antisemitic views as well as extremist anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, but there is no evidence of Mr Britton posting any such content or endorsing racist views shared by others.
However, in one post from May 2022 the army veteran and then-United Australia Party candidate for that year’s federal election discusses volunteering for the upcoming campaign and COVID-19 restrictions for participants.
During subsequent conversations that month he discusses preference deals with other anti-vaccination political parties and shares a video from a far-right influencer and Port Arthur sceptic in an apparent attempt to recruit volunteers for election day.
Last year Mr Britton ran unsuccessfully for Liberal Party preselection in former prime minister Scott Morrison’s safe seat of Cook but only secured 13 votes in a contest that was won by former McKinsey & Company partner Simon Kennedy.
Despite being unsuccessful for the Cook preselection, Mr Britton remained active in the Telegram group, endorsing independent and anti-offshore wind candidate Ryan Morris, who was successful in Wollongong’s local government elections, and now serves as a Liberal Party councillor.
Mr Britton, who is the son of prominent businessman and Liberal Party donor Steve Britton, has indicated he will still contest the seat of Whitlam as an independent candidate.
The ABC has contacted Mr Britton for comment on his membership of the Telegram group, but he has not responded.
Dutton distances Liberal Party from Britton’s views
On Tuesday Opposition Leader Peter Dutton again distanced the Liberal Party from Mr Britton’s views on women serving in combat and he alluded to further concerns about the former Liberal candidate.
Peter Dutton says “a number of issues” had emerged in relation to Benjamin Britton.
“There were a number of issues — not just those that have been made public — in relation to the candidate and we took a decision to replace Ben as the candidate. That’s the decision we’ve taken. I wish him well,” Mr Dutton told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Mr Britton defended his comments opposing women in frontline combat roles, telling Sydney Radio 2GB his views were no different to those expressed by other prominent Liberal MPs.
“I serve with great women in the ADF. I serve with extraordinary women,” he said.
“My position is the same as Andrew Hastie, the shadow minister for defence, and the great Jim Molan — that women should not serve specifically in combat roles, specifically in the army itself.”
A spokesperson for Mr Hastie on Tuesday also distanced the shadow defence minister from Mr Britton, while also clarifying the opposition had no intent to change ADF policies on women in combat.
“Mr Britton has never met Mr Hastie, nor has he volunteered, worked or interviewed for a role in his office. Any suggestion of a professional connection is incorrect,” Mr Hastie’s spokesperson told the ABC.
“Any questions regarding the eligibility of candidates, and the accuracy of their nomination forms, should be directed to the NSW Division of the Liberal Party.
“Mr Hastie’s comments about combat roles in the Australian Defence Force were made more than seven years ago based on his own experience serving in the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).
“There is no intent to change personnel policy in the Australian Defence Force regarding combat roles. The Coalition, however, will insist on the highest physical and mental standards for those who serve in our combat units, as [we] must have the best fighting capability to defend our nation.”
