Nicolle Flint apologises after she was pictured campaigning for Dunstan in RAAF baseball cap despite rules that say ADF must be apolitical

The bitterly fought Dunstan by-election has caught another high-profile pollie in the cross-fire, and sparked an apology over an awkward detail in a Facebook photo.

Resurgent Liberal Nicolle Flint has apologised after she was spotted wearing an Air Force baseball cap while campaigning – despite rules that say the Defence Force must be kept separate to party politics.

Ms Flint was pictured wearing the cap, which features the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force, in several photos taken while she has been out letterboxing ahead of this weekend’s Dunstan by-election.

In the photos, she is wearing a t-shirt promoting the campaign of Liberal candidate Dr Anna Finizio, and holding up campaign leaflets.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is apolitical, and does not endorse or support political parties, their policies, or candidates for public office.

Former MP Nicolle Flint has worn the hat several times while out letterboxing in Dunstan. Picture: Facebook

Former MP Nicolle Flint wearing a defence hat while campaigning ahead of the Dunstan by-election. Picture: Facebook

The Advertiser has been told the Defence Department reaches out to political parties and candidates in cases where their actions or statements might imply otherwise.

In a statement, Ms Flint said she was a proud supporter of the ADF and its people, and worked with many veterans’ organisations during her time as the MP for the federal seat of Boothby.

“Nothing is more important to me than respecting our current and former service personnel,” she said.

“As such, if I have inadvertently caused offence to the wonderful men and women of our Airforce by wearing the cap they gave to me while on Parliamentary exchange – an experience that was a true privilege – I apologise unreservedly.

“I note that many current and former MPs on all sides of parliament regularly wear defence-related items and as such I would encourage the minister and the department to immediately communicate to all parliamentarians the rules relating to wearing items given to them by the ADF.”

Neither the Defence Department nor Ms Flint would confirm whether she had been contacted by the department over the photos, which were posted to her Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, accounts.

The cap she was wearing is available for sale at the online Air Force Shop at a cost of $24.95.

Earlier this week, The Advertiser reported that the Liberals were abuzz with speculation that Ms Flint could make a surprise comeback in her former federal seat.

It came after her conservative ally Alex Antic deployed the required numbers to seize top spot on the 2025 SA Liberal Senate ticket over the weekend, relegating former federal cabinet minister Anne Ruston to second position.

Originally published as Nicolle Flint apologises after she was pictured campaigning for Dunstan in RAAF baseball cap despite rules that say ADF must be apolitical