Jailed travel agent Jordan Dittloff named senate candidate by Libertarian Party

A former Colac travel agent and Young Liberal president who spent time in jail for stealing his clients’ cash and drug trafficking is standing for parliament.

Jordan Dittloff, who was jailed in 2016 after stealing more than $277,000 from clients of his travel business, is hoping to make his way into the senate.

A former Colac travel agent and Young Liberal president who spent time in jail after stealing his clients’ cash is standing for parliament.

Jordan Dittloff, the former operator of Ace Travel, has been named by the Libertarian Party as its lead Senate candidate for Victoria ahead of the next federal election.

Mr Dittloff was sentenced to at least 20 months’ jail in 2016 after stealing a total of $277,994 from 47 clients, including a Scout troop trip to volunteer in Fiji. He also spent time in prison for drug trafficking.

County Court Judge Gerard Mullaly described him as “callous and selfish” and said he had shown a “galling level of greed”.

Mr Dittloff, who now works as a law graduate at Errard Legal in Ballarat, has not shied away from his past.

He describes himself as an “ex-offender and rehabilitant” on his X account, and told this masthead he knew running for parliament could open his past up for scrutiny.

“I didn’t make the decision lightly. But I believe that my experiences can make a difference and a positive contribution to public life,” he said.

Jordan Dittloff leaves court in 2015. Picture: Ian Currie

According to his website, “poor business decisions and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and drugs” resulted in his life unravelling in 2015 and subsequent imprisonment.

“I have been able to reflect on behaviours that fuelled past addictions and now with strong support networks I have over eight years of recovery and sobriety,” Mr Dittloff explains on his personal website.

When asked about the money he owed, Mr Dittloff said he has been working to repay it.

“My actions leading up to my arrest and conviction in 2015 caused great harm to clients of my travel agency, my family, and the community,” he said.

“When I was sentenced I said that I was deeply sorry, that I acknowledged the debts I owed, and that on my release I would ensure they were repaid.

“While this is an ongoing process, I have worked hard since 2017 towards what I said I would do.”

Mr Dittloff said he estimates he will have repaid all the stolen money within seven to 10 years, however he could do it in three if he was elected to the senate.

Jordan Dittloff’s Ace Travel was based in Colac. Picture: Mark Stewart.

The Libertarian Party, formerly known as the Liberal Democrats, endorsed Mr Dittloff as its lead candidate last week.

He is the party’s assistant national secretary, while Surf Coast Shire councillor Paul Barker is president.

“The Libertarian Party is a political party that stands for individual liberty, free markets and small government,” its website states.

“It regards government as the principal threat to these values and therefore seeks to reduce its intrusion into our lives to the lowest level possible consistent with the preservation of a civilised society.”

Jordan Dittloff is hoping to make his way into federal parliament.

It has two sitting members: David Limbrick in Victoria and John Ruddic in NSW.

Mr Dittloff said he made the choice to run for parliament as the two-party system was “failing Australians” leading future generations to “foot the bill”.

“I know from experience what happens when hard decisions get pushed down the road,” he said.

For Mr Dittloff to be elected, he would have to rely strongly on a favourable preference flow.

Originally published as Jailed travel agent Jordan Dittloff named senate candidate by Libertarian Party