Federal election: The past is no longer a foreign country

Federal election candidates have come under scrutiny for things they said some time ago and which, in more innocent times, would have been utterly lost in time and in space.

Events on the campaign trail today suggest that while “the past is a foreign country,’’ it’s now hosting bus loads of curious tourists.

Candidates have come under scrutiny for things they said some time ago and which, in more innocent times, would have been utterly lost in time and in space.

Jessica Whelan in the Tasmania seat of Lyons went this morning for expressing anti-Muslim sentiments on social media.

And Luke Creasey in the seat of Melbourne went this afternoon after making rape jokes on the same forum.

Former Liberal Candidate for Lyons Jessica Whelan on the campaign trail in Launceston, Tasmania. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Creasey was holding on by a thread last night after the seven-year-old rape joke was dredged up.

But the nature of the internet ensures social media posts have a far healthier life span than an alcohol-inspired comment made in a crowded pub one Friday afternoon seven years ago.

Opponents of Creasey went back in his past to find comments he has made about gay women, Catholics and the sexual proclivities of a female friend.

It adds a fascinating new dimension to be taken into account for anyone with even the most modest ambitions in public life.

As a contrite Creasey warned this afternoon:

“Your social media footprint will follow you.’’

ALL THE ELECTION CANDIDATES FORCED TO QUIT SO FAR ...

This is a list put together by AAP of the election candidates who have been forced out and the reason why they’ve had to go.

* Jessica Whelan (Liberal, Lyons) – anti-Muslim social media comments

* Peter Killin (Liberal, Wills) – writing about dangers of gay people and insulting fellow Liberal Tim Wilson

Former Labor candidate Luke Creasey.

* Jeremy Hearn (Liberal, Isaacs) – Facebook slur against Muslims

* Murray Angus (Liberal, Corio) – friendly comments about Labor candidate

* Kate Oski (Liberal, Lalor) – citizenship doubts

* Vaishali Ghosh (Liberal, Wills) – citizenship doubts

* Helen Jackson (Liberal, Cooper) – public servant

* Courtney Nguyen (Liberal, Fowler) – citizenship doubts

* Sam Kayal (Liberal, Werriwa) – citizenship doubts

* James Harker-Mortlock (Nationals, Whitlam) – citizenship doubts

* Steve Dickson (One Nation, Queensland Senate) – strip club scandal

* Wayne Kurnoth (Labor, NT Senate) – offensive social media posts

* Melissa Parke – (Labor, Curtin) – Comments on Palestine

* Mary Ross (Labor, NSW Senate) – citizenship doubts

* Luke Creasey (Labor, Melbourne) – vulgar social media comments about women, posted seven years ago

QUESTION MARK

* Rod Culleton (Great Australian Party, WA Senate) – referred to federal police over an alleged false statement denying his bankruptcy

* Ross Macdonald (One Nation, Leichhardt) – racist and sexist social media posts

– AAP

Black-throated Finch of black-rumped northern race, atropygialis.

BLACK FINCH WOES

The Black Throated Finch remains a key player in the election campaign, even if the bird is unaware of its political pull. The Finch remains a key sticking point in the approval of the Adani Coal Mine. Australia chief executive, Lucas Dow, is reportedly scratching his head as to how the latest roadblock had sprung up when Adani had has been working diligently on meeting requirements for species protection for the past 18 months. In a strange sort of symmetry, just as the Queensland Government announced it wanted Adani to take more steps to protect the Black Throated Finch, the Coalition was announcing a $10 million grant through the government’s existing Environment Restoration Fund to create safe havens for threatened native species. Perhaps they could work together on a solution? Perhaps we should believe in the Easter bunny.

Light appears at end of tunnel

With the two day advertising blackout before the May 18 poll taken into account, we have now passed the half way point in the campaign and have only 12 more days of irritating political advertising to contend with.