New Liberal candidate for Whitlam claimed ‘Marxist brainwashing’ happening at Australian schools

Nathaniel Smith, previously a NSW state MP, is a member of the party’s religious conservative factionElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignPolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideListen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThe new Liberal candidate for the seat of Whitlam once claimed school students were being “brainwashed” by Marxist and woke ideologies – despite replacing another candidate dumped by the party for his controversial views.The party’s New South Wales branch administrative committee confirmed on Sunday Benjamin Britton had been disendorsed after Guardian Australia revealed a string of controversial views on fringe podcasts last year, including that women should be banned from frontline roles in the military and that the education system was “indoctrinating” young Australians about Marxist ideologies.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

New Liberal candidate for Whitlam claimed ‘Marxist brainwashing’ happening at Australian schools

Nathaniel Smith, previously a NSW state MP, is a member of the party’s religious conservative faction

The new Liberal candidate for the seat of Whitlam once claimed school students were being “brainwashed” by Marxist and woke ideologies – despite replacing another candidate dumped by the party for his controversial views.

The party’s New South Wales branch administrative committee confirmed on Sunday Benjamin Britton had been disendorsed after Guardian Australia revealed a string of controversial views on fringe podcasts last year, including that women should be banned from frontline roles in the military and that the education system was “indoctrinating” young Australians about Marxist ideologies.

Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...