One Nation boss called David Farley an ‘asshole’ in lead-up to Farrer byelection, text messages reveal

Kelvin Morton, the general manager of the One Nation political party, referred to David Farley as an “asshole” in text messages exchanged just days before Farley achieved a historic byelection victory for the party in the Farrer electorate in May. Morton's appointment to the role of general manager by One Nation was specifically intended to enhance and improve the party's candidate vetting processes. The text messages, which have been reviewed by Guardian Australia, were sent in direct response to a news article published by the Sydney Morning Herald. This article detailed significant infighting among senior figures within One Nation concerning David Farley's campaign for the Farrer seat. A key point of contention highlighted in the Sydney Morning Herald report was Farley's previously undeclared support for the Australian Labor Party, a rival political entity. The revelation of Morton's derogatory private remark towards Farley adds a significant layer of complexity to the reported internal disputes and tensions among prominent One Nation officials regarding Farley's suitability as a candidate and the overall campaign strategy. The Farrer byelection itself was a notable event, culminating in David Farley's win for One Nation, representing a significant electoral achievement for the party. However, the internal conflicts and the private commentary from the party's general manager, as brought to light by these text messages, suggest underlying challenges and disunity within the party's leadership and its operational structure, even as they were celebrating a positive electoral outcome in Farrer. Morton's mandate to improve vetting processes is brought into sharp focus by these revelations concerning his own conduct and his disparaging remarks about a candidate who ultimately proved successful. The Sydney Morning Herald's earlier report indicated that the internal friction was substantial enough to warrant public reporting and discussion within the party. The timing of these text messages, occurring immediately prior to a critical election, underscores the intense internal dynamics at play within One Nation during a pivotal period. Guardian Australia's reporting on these text messages offers a direct and candid insight into the personal sentiments expressed by a key party official towards a candidate who went on to secure a victory, raising pertinent questions about party cohesion, internal management, and the effectiveness of its leadership.