Bendigo anti-mosque campaigner Elise Chapman withdraws One Nation election candidacy
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The One Nation party's lead Victorian candidate for the Senate at this year's federal election, high-profile Bendigo anti-mosque campaigner Elise Chapman, has withdrawn from the contest.
The party said on social media that Ms Chapman had pulled out because of "personal issues".
"It is with regret that we announce that our Victorian Senate candidate, Elise Chapman, has had to withdraw her candidacy for the upcoming election, due to personal issues," the party said.
"Elise is a hard-working and dedicated person who cares for her community and we wish her the best with her continued role as a Bendigo councillor."
Ms Chapman was campaigning on anti-Islamic policies and had been a vocal opponent of a planned mosque in the city.
She recently called for a royal commission into Islam.
"We have had ongoing interest regarding Senate positions in Victoria and will be looking forward to announcing new candidates soon as soon as interviews are completed," One Nation said.
The party's leader, Pauline Hanson, was greeted by protesters when she travelled to Bendigo in February to launch Ms Chapman's campaign.
Ms Chapman said at the time she was approached by several parties to contest the federal election, but was swayed by Ms Hanson's platform.
Ms Chapman contested the Lower House seat of Bendigo West at the 2014 Victorian election for the Country Alliance, but attracted less than 3 per cent of the primary vote.
Her term as a Bendigo councillor since 2012 had featured several controversial moments, including her opposition to the mosque and an appearance at a rally led by nationalist group, the United Patriots Front.
She is continuing to fight a conduct panel ruling forcing her to apologise for comments on social media that linked debate about the mosque to the issue of female genital mutilation.
But Ms Chapman also received an apology recently from the former Bendigo mayor Peter Cox after she and a colleague complained about his conduct.
Topics: federal-elections, parliament, political-parties, bendigo-3550, vic
