One Nation internal dispute over candidate vetting and branch finances

One Nation’s general manager Kelvin Morton, hired to tighten the party’s vetting, referred to newly elected MP David Farley as an “asshole” in text messages released to the Guardian. Morton later clashed with the Lilley branch in Brisbane, suspending coordinator Mark McGuire and demanding the return of $12,000 raised at a branch fundraiser. He warned that membership would remain suspended until a formal written apology was received.

The Guardian

His appointment coincided with Farley’s historic byelection victory, the first for One Nation in Farrer. The party’s national executive promoted Morton to the executive, replacing former treasurer Alex Jones, and tasked him with overhauling candidate selection and branch governance.

The Guardian

• $12,000 was raised at a Lilley-branch fundraising dinner last year.

The Guardian

• “Your membership will continue to remain suspended until a formal written apology is received by you,” — Kelvin Morton

The Guardian

• “You are reminded that … branches are strictly prohibited from maintaining independent bank accounts,” — Kelvin Morton

The Guardian

• “They were treated with no procedural fairness and total disrespect,” — Mark McGuire

The Guardian