Right-wing One Nation party dumps Queensland candidate after anti-gay Facebook posts

Dumped One Nation candidate Shan Ju Lin has hit out at the party’s hierarchy over her disendorsement as a candidate in the wake of inflammatory statements she made on social media.

It was among a series of anti-LGBTI posts the ex-candidate made on Ms Lin’s publicly viewable Facebook page. Ms Lin, who was on an overseas holiday, did not respond to Fairfax Media’s emailed questions, but posted a statement instead to her Facebook page.

Ms Lin said the party’s decision had caught her by surprise.

“One Nation has no policy to be adhered to on this issue except for that of a referendum on gay marriage whereby the community would have its say,” she said. “The speed of the disendorsement decision – without any chance to defend myself – has also been remarkable.

“At no time have I been able to speak directly with Pauline Hanson and therefore I have not had the ability to check what has been related to her about the matter.

“All candidates are only able to contact her via her chief of staff, Mr James Ashby, who then replies back on her behalf.”