Overview
- 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.