Trending
Prev Story
Next Story

Breaking: Victorian Liberals dump Williamstown candidate over offensive comments

ABC News Australia •
November 11, 2026 • 08:23 AM
1
1 reads 0 reactions

The Victorian Liberal Party has dumped Williamstown candidate Paul Lindemann over offensive comments it says he made about Indigenous Australians.

Breaking: Victorian Liberals dump Williamstown candidate over offensive comments

Topic: State and Territory Elections

Paul Lindemann with Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. ( Facebook )

The Victorian Liberal Party has dumped Williamstown candidate Paul Lindemann over offensive comments it says he made about Indigenous Australians.

In a statement, the party says it has withdrawn its support and endorsement of Mr Lindemann over views he expressed, which had recently come to light.

"These comments are offensive, unacceptable and inconsistent with the values and standards expected of Liberal candidates," the statement says.

The party was not previously aware of Mr Lindemann's comments, the statement says.

Yesterday One Nation dumped former Preston candidate Franco Guardiani over comments he made about Hitler.

The seat of Williamstown has been held by Minister for Jobs Melissa Horne since 2018, and has been won by Labor at almost every election since 1889 on very safe margins.

The former dockyard town is now one of the wealthier seats in the state.

Earlier today, Sport Minister Steve Dimopoulos said Opposition Leader Jess Wilson should dump Mr Lindemann over allegations he insulted and mocked a young basketball player while coaching the Bay City Lakers.

In a statement, Mr Lindemann apologised for his actions and acknowledged he should have "handled the situation differently".

The ABC has attempted to contact Mr Lindemann for comment.

Victorians are set to head to the polls on November 28.

Prev Swipe Story Next

Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 5 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

5 Publications
The Age
2d ago
Liberals dump candidate over Indigenous slurs on secret Facebook account

Liberals dump candidate over Indigenous slurs on secret Facebook account

The party disendorsed its Williamstown candidate after it emerged he used a Facebook account named after his yacht to attack Indigenous Australians with racist tropes.

#williamstown #lindemann #indigenous
Compare →
SBS News Australia
8h ago
These emergency response camps are ‘no ordinary tents’

These emergency response camps are ‘no ordinary tents’

As Australia’s enters a high-risk weather season, new rapid response camps will now be used to support regional communities.

#indigenous
Compare →
Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
23h ago
Student places to be tied to targets in major university funding change

Student places to be tied to targets in major university funding change

High-quality research, success for Indigenous Australians and quality teaching will be among the benchmarks for universities.

#indigenous
Compare →
The Guardian
1d ago
‘Start listening’: Indigenous activist implores Albanese to block new coal, oil and gas

‘Start listening’: Indigenous activist implores Albanese to block new coal, oil and gas

Flanked by Greta Thunberg, Rikki Dank says the Australian PM must heed the calls for action on climate change

#indigenous
Compare →
The Australian Financial Review (AFR)
2d ago
In remote WA, the data centre fight is Indigenous owners v green groups

In remote WA, the data centre fight is Indigenous owners v green groups

The traditional owners of land where is major data centre is proposed say it offers economic benefits, but green groups are opposed.

#indigenous
Compare →

Related Stories

Australia & Pacific
Build #2611