Australian political candidates embroiled in social media fails

These are the posts that have derailed the federal election campaign. While party leaders are attempting to voice key policies, many are in damage control over the actions of their candidates, who have used social media to air their offensive opinions.

• Greens candidate forced to apologise over ‘foolish’ disregard for dead police officers on social media
• More candidates stumble in election race
• The latest candidate to be dumped by a major party

Nearly all of Australia’s political parties are scrambling to vet their candidates social media use as a raft of obscene and offensive posts have been revealed.

CONNOR PARISSIS, GREENS

A NSW Greens candidate was forced to apologise today for encouraging violence against politicians and showing disregard for dead police officers on social media.

Federal Greens Candidate for Barton Connor Parissis.

Greens candidate for Barton Connor Parissis on Israel.

Connor Parissis, who is running in the inner west seat of Barton, has also posted a series of anti-Semitic images and openly promotes the use of illicit drugs in the past year.

Despite labelling the comments “foolish and harmful” The Greens are standing behind the candidate and will not force him to resign.

Mr Parissis posted a picture on Facebook stating “who gives a flying fox about dead cops?” in December 2017 and in August last year posted “log off and grab a bat and head to ur (sic) local liberal office x”.

Greens candidate for Barton Connor Parissis posted a string of offensive posts online.

Greens candidate for Barton Connor Parissis posted a meme on dead police.

WAYNE KURNOTH, LABOR

Union organiser Wayne Kurnoth in February posted a picture showing Malcolm Turnbull as an Islamic State executioner about to kill the ABC’s Emma Alberici.

Bill Shorten with Wayne Kurnoth.

Kurnoth, Labor’s fourth choice Senate candidate for the Northern Territory, was forced to apologise for making “stupid” comments on social media after he was given a public dressing down by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

NT Labor senate candidate Wayne Kurnoth facebook post d

JEREMY HEARN, LIBERALS

Jeremy Hearn, who was vying for the Melbourne seat of Isaacs, said he wanted taxpayers to stop funding Australia’s Muslim schools because they are waging “rebellion against the government”.

Jeremy Hearn (Right)

In a series of highly divisive comments online, Mr Hearn said all Muslims subscribed to an ideology of “killing or enslavement of the citizens of Australia if they do not become Muslim”.

He said Muslims wanted to “replace the Australian government and legal system with sharia” and were “lying about their purpose to conceal their activities”.

Victorian Liberal leader Michael O’Brien said Jeremy Hearn’s comments were “appalling” and he rejected them entirely.

Mr Hearn was sacked on Wednesday after the appalling anti-Muslim rant.

LUKE CREASEY, LABOR

Embattled candidate Luke Creasey has quit the race for Melbourne today over a string of offensive Facebook comments.

Bill Shorten this morning stood by Mr Creasey, saying he was a “young 22-year-old man” when he posted sexist and inappropriate remarks.

Screen grabs from Luke Creasey's facebook page

Screen grabs from Luke Creasey's facebook page

Victorian Liberal senator Jane Hume said Mr Creasey’s posts were “simply foul” and Labor “must immediately disendorse him in the seat”.

“A candidate who makes rape jokes and shares pornographic material online is not welcome in the Australian parliament,” Senator Hume said.

Mr Creasey apologised, ­saying the posts were “stupid, immature and in no way reflect the views I hold today”.

JESSICA WHELAN, LIBERALS

Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan, who came under fire for allegedly posting anti-Muslim comments online, has been the latest candidate to be dumped by a major party.

Jessica Whelan Picture: Mick Tsikas

Ms Whelan, who was running for the Tasmanian seat of Lyons, denied responsibility for one Islamophobic remark on Facebook.

Alleged Facebook post from Liberal candidate for Lyons Jessica Whelan.

A report in The Mercury newspaper yesterday revealed posts from Ms Whelan, including one suggesting women have their genitalia mutilated.

“Round them up Donald, cut their clitoris’ off & sell them to Muslims in Muslim countries & cancel their passports. You’ll make a mint.”

Comments about Muslim immigration allegedly made by Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan on Facebook.

“Given that your profile states you went to College at ‘Never lose hope in ALLAH’. I hope you’re bloody NOT on our housing waiting list. You shouldn’t even be in Australia if you believe in ALLAH!” it read.

A spokesperson for Ms Whelan told the newspaper that screenshots of the comments had been doctored in an attempt to smear her.

JIM CASEY, GREENS

Last month it was revealed an inner Sydney Greens candidate was caught on camera smashing a piñata of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s head.

The Greens MP was caught on camera hitting a pinata of Scott Morrison's face.

Ex-unionist Jim Casey was filmed swinging for the piñata with a baton at a backyard house party.

Ex-unionist Jim Casey, who is challenging Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese in the seat of Grayndler, was filmed swinging for the piñata with a baton at a backyard house party on October 20.

Greens Candidate Jim Casey. Picture: John Appleyard