One Nation reveals four upper house candidates, including controversial anti-trans campaigner

Detailed summary

Failed federal Liberal candidate and anti-transgender activist Katherine Deves, a forklift driver, and a surf lifesaver are among One Nation candidates contesting the poll.

A controversial anti-transgender campaigner from Sydney’s northern beaches, a forklift driver turned political staffer, and a South Coast surf lifesaver are among One Nation candidates contesting the NSW state election.

One Nation NSW leader Mike Newman on Sunday announced four new upper house candidates for the March state poll, saying they had “real-world experience” and the group was “not a team of career politicians”.

“We have picked who we believe are the best people to take forward. They are all family members. They all have been in business,” Newman said.

Sydney candidate Katherine Deves, who is a prominent campaigner opposing the inclusion of trans women in women’s sport, was the Liberal Party’s pick to take on Warringah MP Zali Steggall at the 2022 federal election.

Her candidacy prompted a firestorm of criticism and she issued a series of apologies over social media posts including one in which she compared her anti-trans activism to resistance against the Nazis.

Deves on Sunday criticised what she described as NSW’s “out-of-control” bureaucracy, as well as diversity and inclusion policies.

“Australian households are worrying about how they’re going to pay for Christmas and we’re watching overpaid bureaucrats sit there and argue about whether men can breastfeed and get pregnant.

“There are [state] laws around anti-discrimination, hate speech, vilification, birth certificates, where we can restore clear and accurate language around biological sex – men and women – and ensure that women and girls are safe and have spaces for services [and] sports.”

The other candidates are Arnon Wither, an electorate officer for senator Sean Bell, who has worked in manufacturing and construction in the Hunter region; educator Manti Steele from Dubbo in central-western NSW; and South Coast teacher Daniel Hill.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Sydney Morning Herald. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.