SA Liberal candidate no longer running for party after podcast comments
Carston Woodhouse is no longer running for the seat of Wright. (Supplied: SA Liberal Party)
In short:
Carston Woodhouse, who was running for the Liberal Party in the seat of Wright, is no longer running in the state election.
It follows comments he made on an evangelical Christian podcast on Islam, feminism, same-sex marriage and 'the trans agenda' were revealed.
Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn says she did not agree with the comments.
SA Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn says one of her candidates for the upcoming state election is no longer running for the party after comments he made on Islam, feminism, same-sex marriage and "the trans agenda" came to light from an American podcast.
Carston Woodhouse, who was the party's endorsed candidate for the seat of Wright, made the comments on American evangelical Christian podcast ElijahFire.
In one episode, which was shared by the Labor party on Wednesday, Mr Woodhouse was heard saying "feminism is demonic" and "same-sex marriage isn't real".
The ABC also exclusively revealed more comments Mr Woodhouse made that "Islam was poisonous and wrong," and he wanted people to understand the "insanity of the trans agenda."
Carston Woodhouse (bottom left and right) made the comments on the ElijahFire podcast. (YouTube: ElijahFire)
He also made comments opposing a 2024 ban on the Nazi salute and swastika in South Australia, which aired at a Labor press conference this morning.
At a press conference later on Thursday afternoon, Ms Hurn said she still did not agree with his comments.
"I stood here yesterday and made myself clear that I did not support the comments made by a particular candidate, that remains true today, and that person is no longer a candidate for the next election,"Ms Hurn said.
Liberal leader Ashton Hurn would not provide details on whether Mr Woodhouse was disendorsed or whether he resigned. (ABC News)
Ms Hurn said she wouldn't be going into details on whether Mr Woodhouse was disendorsed or he resigned.
"Now I'm telling you, that he's no longer the candidate," she said.
The Liberal leader confirmed Mr Woodhouse still had a contract to work at Liberal Party headquarters.
"He's still got a contract, and that contract will continue," Ms Hurn said.
Liberal director says he spoke to former candidate
In a statement, Liberal Party State Director Alex Hyde said Mr Woodhouse "agreed to withdraw his candidacy".
"I met with candidate for Wright, Carston Woodhouse, and discussed the need for our campaign to remain focused on our policy priorities of affordability, healthcare, and crime," Mr Hyde said.
"As a result of being asked to step down, and in support of our team and campaign remaining focused, Mr Woodhouse has agreed to withdraw his candidacy.
"Mr Woodhouse does not shirk from his deeply held views and wants to see the Liberal Party succeed in the election and hold this terrible Labor government to account.
"The Electoral Commission has been informed of this decision."
'Shut the door on this election'
Earlier on Thursday, federal Liberal senator Alex Antic said in parliament that the Liberals "apparently stand for freedom of thought, worship, speech and association" but this would have a serious impact on the outcome of the upcoming state election.
"I haven't read what this guy [Mr Woodhouse] has said, frankly, because I don't care about anything that's written in the media in South Australia," Mr Antic said.
"But I'll say this, if this guy is disendorsed, or if he feels compelled to leave, we might as well shut the doors on this election with one week to go."
Alex Antic says if Mr Woodhouse was disendorsed, the Liberal Party "may as well shut the door on the SA election". (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
In response to Mr Antic's comments, Ms Hurn said she was "focused on the issues that matter to the people of South Australia".
After Ms Hurn's announcement, Member for Wright Blair Boyer held another press conference regarding Mr Woodhouse.
"Ashton Hurn should've done the right thing straight away upon learning about these extreme views held by Carston Woodhouse," Mr Boyer said.
Mr Boyer was asked whether it was appropriate Mr Woodhouse still had a contract to work at Liberal headquarters.
"If that was someone in the Labor party campaign team, they would be out on their ear," Mr Boyer replied.
"Surely it's bringing the party into disrepute?"he said.
Kansas Bird says the LGBTIA+ community needs protection from vilification. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
Trans Justice Adelaide spokesperson Kansas Bird said Mr Woodhouse's podcast comments were "abhorrent" and "disappointing".
"When we have leaders who have such big platforms and they choose to use their platforms to say really harmful things like this, it has a very tangible negative effect on our community," they said.
"We know that trans people in particular, but also the wider queer community, have higher than average rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation because of the discrimination that they face.
"It really speaks to the need for anti-vilification laws in South Australia."
They said while it was "good news'" to hear Mr Woodhouse was no longer in the election race, they would have preferred that the SA Liberal Party took "a stronger stance" against his comments.
Earlier on Thursday morning, Liberal MP Ben Hood told ABC Radio Adelaide Mr Woodhouse was still the candidate for the north-eastern Adelaide seat.
"We welcome people of all faiths, and people of no faith at all, in this party of ours and as long as they are very, obviously keen to promote our policies, their religious beliefs have no bearing," Mr Hood said.