One Nation boss called David Farley an ‘asshole’ in lead-up to Farrer byelection, text messages reveal
News Source
•Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:00:08 GMT
📰 What Happened
Text messages show One Nation's general manager, Kelvin Morton, called David Farley an 'asshole'. The messages were sent days before Farley won the Farrer byelection in May. Guardian Australia saw the messages.
Morton was writing about a news story on infighting over Farley's earlier support for Labor. He said the party needed better candidate checks and should stop finding 'these assholes'. He added that Farley would look like an 'untrustworthy snake' if he quit.
A One Nation spokesperson said Farley is a dedicated MP and that the comments do not reflect the party's view.
🔍 The Backstory
Kelvin Morton became One Nation's general manager in February. He was hired to make the party more professional, with stronger checks on candidates. He now sits on the national executive.
The documents also show Morton has clashed with Brisbane staff and volunteers. After a local fundraiser raised $12,000, he suspended a branch coordinator, Mark McGuire, over access to campaign flyers. Members said their branch would stop volunteering in protest.
Farley's win in Farrer was the party's first lower house seat at a byelection.
🎯 Why It Matters
One Nation wants more seats and more power. How it picks and treats its own people tells voters whether it is ready to govern well.
Text messages show One Nation's general manager, Kelvin Morton, called David Farley an 'asshole'. The messages were sent days before Farley won the Farrer byelection in May. Guardian Australia saw the messages.
Morton was writing about a news story on infighting over Farley's earlier support for Labor. He said the party needed better candidate checks and should stop finding 'these assholes'. He added that Farley would look like an 'untrustworthy snake' if he quit.
A One Nation spokesperson said Farley is a dedicated MP and that the comments do not reflect the party's view.
Kelvin Morton became One Nation's general manager in February. He was hired to make the party more professional, with stronger checks on candidates. He now sits on the national executive.
The documents also show Morton has clashed with Brisbane staff and volunteers. After a local fundraiser raised $12,000, he suspended a branch coordinator, Mark McGuire, over access to campaign flyers. Members said their branch would stop volunteering in protest.
Farley's win in Farrer was the party's first lower house seat at a byelection.
One Nation wants more seats and more power. How it picks and treats its own people tells voters whether it is ready to govern well.