One Nation Victoria disendorsed Preston candidate Franco Guardiani after reports of social media posts praising Adolf Hitler, while the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)’s Preston nominations page continues to list him.
The party acted Tuesday, Nov. 10, a day after nominations closed Monday, Nov. 9, for Victoria’s Nov. 28 state election. The VEC page lists “GUARDIANI, Franco” under One Nation Victoria, but the party’s current candidate roster omits him. The VEC says a registered party can withdraw a nomination before nominations close.
ABC News reported that Guardiani confirmed the social media accounts were his. The Guardian reported that an X post asked users to describe Hitler in one word and that Guardiani replied “GOAT.” ABC News also reported that he called Hitler the “GOAT,” an acronym for “greatest of all time.”
One Nation Victoria leader Warren Pickering told ABC News the party was appalled by the remarks and said Guardiani was “no longer part of our party.” Pickering said people with such views had no place in One Nation.
Guardiani told ABC News, “The party does what it sees fit.” He said free speech should allow people to express their views and question ideas.
The Guardian separately reported that another post alleged importing Islam made pedophilia legal. The outlet also reported references to mosque destruction on Guardiani’s X account.
ABC News reported that One Nation acknowledged its candidate-vetting process needed improvement. The Guardian said it was unclear how the posts escaped screening and reported that the party said it had put time and money into improving vetting. ABC News also reported that Melbourne candidate Matthew Collins stepped down Nov. 1 after offensive social media comments emerged.
The VEC says voters will elect 88 Legislative Assembly members and 40 Legislative Council members on Nov. 28. The VEC says a registered party can withdraw a candidate’s nomination before nominations close.
