Federal election 2025 as it happened: Libs dump candidate over sexist comments; Dutton spruiks foreign student cuts; PM campaigns on $4000 home battery subsidy

Liberal candidate for Whitlam Benjamin Britton has been disendorsed after expressing views that are inconsistent with the party’s position.

In a series of podcast interviews before his December preselection, Britton claimed the Australian Defence Force needed “to remove females from combat corps” to fix the military.

Britton also blamed “diversity and equity quotes, Marxist ideology and woke ideologies” for weakening Australia’s defence.

In a statement, the Liberal administrative committee of the NSW division said it would now endorse Nathaniel Smith for the seat of Whitlam.

“This follows a decision to disendorse Benjamin Britton over views expressed which were not previously disclosed and are inconsistent with the party’s position,” a spokesperson said.

“Nathaniel is raising his two daughters with his wife Christine in the Southern Highlands. He is the chief executive of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW, providing a strong voice for the plumbing industry, and working to deliver a better deal for small and family businesses.

“Starting his career as an apprentice plumber, going on to run his own plumbing business, before taking up tertiary studies in communications and joining a communication consultancy. In 2019 he was elected as the Member for Wollondilly, serving until 2023.

“Nathaniel has been a passionate advocate for small businesses and investment in trades and training.

“As part of Peter Dutton’s Liberal team, Nathaniel will help deliver the Liberal plan to strengthen our economy and reduce inflation.”