The Nationals have disendorsed young Cessnock candidate Ash Barnham two weeks before the NSW election over controversial comments on Twitter.
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Nationals state director Joe Lundy said on Saturday that the University of Newcastle business student had been scrubbed from the party's campaign over past social media posts which have come to light.
ACM understands Mr Barnham posted derogatory comments on a Twitter account in early 2020.
The party acted swiftly to disendorse Mr Barnham in a seat they have little hope of winning off Labor incumbent Clayton Barr.
He is no longer listed as a candidate on the party's website and his campaign Facebook account has been removed.
"In light of the revelation of historic tweets from Ash Barnham, I have asked him to resign as the Nationals' candidate for Cessnock, which has occurred," Mr Lundy said.
"The comments are absolutely not acceptable.
"Mr Barnham did not advise the party of his ownership of that Twitter handle during the preselection process."
Mr Lundy said the party had started "a process" under its constitution and rules "in relation to Mr Barnham's party membership".
"I have written to the NSW Electoral Commissioner to advise him of this matter," he said.
The move comes after Thursday's ballot draw, meaning Mr Barnham's name will still appear on the voting paper as a Nationals candidate on March 25.
But the party will not hand out how-to-vote cards for him nor provide him with other campaign support.
ACM attempted to contact Mr Barnham for comment.
Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
