One Nation dumps Brisbane candidate Rebecca Lloyd after investigation over ‘freedom’ website

One Nation has dumped its Brisbane candidate days after an investigation was launched into a website for “freedom fighting” electoral hopefuls.

One Nation has disendorsed its candidate for the seat of Brisbane, claiming she showed an “unwillingness” to follow direction.

The move came just days after it was revealed a website that Rebecca Lloyd was registered with was under investigation by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

The AEC is investigating whether the website was soliciting donations on behalf of “freedom fighting” electoral hopefuls and whether it breaches political authorisation rules.

There are concerns the website has not been correctly authorised, or declared, as being a piece of political messaging.

It was reportedly being used to solicit donations to minor party candidates with links to anti-Covid lockdown groups.

“Her unwillingness to work with and follow direction from One Nation’s national executive as part of this team has led to the regrettable, but unanimous, decision to disendorse Ms Lloyd as the party’s candidate for Brisbane,” One Nation said in a statement.

“One Nation wishes Ms Lloyd all the best with her future endeavours.”

Rebecca Lloyd is under investigation over a website linked to “freedom fighting” groups that may be in breach of electoral rules. Image: One Nation

In what appears to be a now-deleted Facebook post Ms Lloyd disputed claims she was being investigated.

“In the story (which appeared earlier this week), it is claimed I am under investigation for potential electoral fraud by the AEC,” she said, according to the ABC.

“I have been deleted from all One Nation channels. It looks like I am being disendorsed.

“I have done nothing wrong. The AEC is not investigating me and I have been deleted for standing up for myself.”

Ms Lloyd’s profile has been removed from the One Nation website, with the page producing a 404 error.

It was earlier revealed instructional videos on the website in question direct voters to preference “freedom fighting candidates” from minor parties including One Nation, the United Australia Party and the Great Australian Party.

Despite selling itself as representing minor party and independent candidates across Australia, most independents have no presence whatsoever.

The website describes itself as “a community hub that connects minor candidates with local voters”, adding that “major parties have failed us for the last two years and beyond.”

One Nation founder, Pauline Hanson has also been a vocal critic of government anti-Covid measures, attending “Freedom” rallies to protest lockdowns. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Another video on the site slams the government over mandates that led to Toowoomba business, Bar Wunder being shut down after defying the rules.

Ms Lloyd called the situation an “absolute travesty” and described “protecting individual medical freedoms” as one of her main platforms in the election.

The first step by the AEC is to ask the candidate to rectify the authorisation, and if that is unsuccessful fines can be issued as punishment.

AEC spokesperson, Evan Ekin-Smyth said the group were “sticklers” when it came to authorising political messaging in order to protect Australians from being misled during the election.

One Nation has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as One Nation dumps Brisbane candidate Rebecca Lloyd after investigation over ‘freedom’ website