Whitlam candidate Benjamin Britton kicked from Liberal ticket over historic views

Liberal candidate Benjamin Britton has been disendorsed and replaced after old interviews were uncovered in which he railed against women enlisting in the ADF and opposed Covid lockdowns.

Ousted Liberal candidate Benjamin Britton during his Cunningham United Australia Party candidacy. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Liberal Whitlam candidate Benjamin Britton has been disendorsed and replaced after old interviews were uncovered in which he railed against women enlisting in the Australian Defence Force and opposed Covid lockdowns.

On Sunday, the NSW Liberal Party announced Mr Britton – who previously ran for the ­United Australia Party in the seat of Whitlam at the 2022 federal election – had been ousted in favour of former state Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith.

“The Administrative Committee of the NSW Division met today and has endorsed Nathaniel Smith as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Whitlam,” the state branch said. “This follows a decision to disendorse Benjamin Britton over views expressed which were not previously disclosed and are inconsistent with the party’s position.”

In a video acquired by The Australian, Mr Britton is seen speaking at an April 2022 UAP campaign event wearing a cap emblazoned with “Make 3RAR (3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment) Great Again”, while a supporter holds an anti-vaccine placard in the background.

“I did my time … and then I saw what happened over the lockdowns and what happened to all the people. I’m a pretty tough guy, I can handle it.

“But when I saw what was happening to other people who couldn’t stand up for themselves and didn’t have the capability to, even though they wanted to, I felt I had to do something,” he said. “What is the main issue here … causing this problem? Spineless politicians who sold out our freedom and they sold out the people. I realised that no one good ever runs for politics. They leave it to these duds because no one wants to do it.”

After winning only a small vote under the UAP banner, he enlisted with the Liberal Party in November 2022 and began pushing for candidacy.

“If we’re to fix our Defence Force … they’re going to need to remove females from combat corps,” Britton said in a July 2024 podcast with commentator Joel Jammal. “Their hips are being destroyed because they can’t cope with the carrying of the heavy loads.

“I knew some of the toughest men I’ve ever met in my life, absolute nails. War left them a shaking mess … If war can do that to them … why would you want to send your beautiful women?”

Mr Britton was contacted for comment.