Liberal Party Replaces Candidate Over Controversial Views on Women in Combat Roles

Benjamin Britton is disendorsed for comments on women in the ADF, with Nathaniel Smith named as the new candidate for the Whitlam seat ahead of the federal election.

• Benjamin Britton was disendorsed by the Liberal Party as their candidate for the NSW seat of Whitlam after expressing views deemed inconsistent with party values.
• Britton's controversial statements included advocating for the removal of women from Australian Defence Force combat roles, citing disproven claims about medical discharge rates.
• Nathaniel Smith, former NSW MP and current CEO of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW, has been endorsed as Britton's replacement for the May 3 federal election.
• Political opponents, including outgoing Labor MP Stephen Jones, criticized the Liberal Party, alleging prior knowledge of Britton's views and mishandling of the situation.
• The seat of Whitlam, a longtime Labor stronghold, is now open following Stephen Jones' retirement, intensifying competition between major parties.

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