Peter Dutton faced a political firestorm when his candidate for the NSW seat of Whitlam, Benjamin Britton, was embroiled in a controversy over his views on females in combat roles within the Australian Defence Force. The revelation that Britton advocated for the removal of women from combat corps to “fix” the military sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
“Diversity and equity quotas, Marxist ideology, and woke ideologies are weakening Australia’s defense,”
Britton claimed in fringe podcast interviews prior to his December preselection. His criticism targeted the Federal Government’s 2013 decision to lift gender restrictions on frontline combat positions. While he acknowledged serving in the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment alongside exceptional women, he argued against their participation based on physical limitations during combat situations.
The swift response from the Liberal Party saw Britton being disendorsed as a candidate for Whitlam.
“Nathaniel is raising his two daughters with his wife Christine in the Southern Highlands…providing a strong voice for the plumbing industry”
, said party officials as they backed Nathaniel Smith to replace Britton. Smith’s background as Chief Executive of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW positioned him as an advocate for small businesses and trades training, promising to alleviate cost-of-living pressures on households and businesses if elected.
Despite Dutton previously lauding Britton as an “outstanding candidate,” endorsing Smith underscored a shift away from controversial viewpoints within party ranks. The move aimed at distancing themselves from statements deemed inconsistent with party values regarding gender equality and diversity.
“If war can do that to them and destroy them, why would you want to send your beautiful women? Your females – the ones that are the backbone of your society.”
– Benjamin Britton
Britton’s departure raised questions about alignment with conservative ideals within politics. Beyond gender issues, his past comments linked exposure to pornography with rising transgender desires among young men. These controversial stances further complicated his brief political career under different party banners.
As election day approaches, Whitlam constituents will witness a three-way contest involving Labor’s Carol Berry, Nationals’ Katrina Hodgkinson, and now Nathaniel Smith representing Liberal interests. The electoral battle takes center stage amidst broader debates around social values, inclusivity, and representation within Australia’s political landscape.
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