A One Nation candidate for the upcoming Victorian state election has drawn attention after promoting a public event featuring a representative from a group known for advancing conspiracy theories. Steven Mitchell, who is running for the Ashwood seat, advertised a meet-and-greet at Pinewood Shopping Centre in Mount Waverley last Saturday that included Darryl O’Bryan from the Know Your Rights group.
The Know Your Rights organization’s website disseminates claims denying the official accounts of several major incidents. Among its assertions are that the 1996 Port Arthur massacre was a “contrived event” intended to disarm the Australian public and that the September 11, 2001, attacks were orchestrated as a “false flag” operation. The site also questions Australia’s constitutional legitimacy, disputes the validity of the title “Queen of Australia,” and contests the legality of personal income tax and traffic fines. O’Bryan co-hosts the group’s podcast, which has repeatedly promoted these theories.
Mitchell’s Facebook post on October 24 invited voters to meet both him and O’Bryan but did not clarify whether the candidate endorsed all of the group’s positions or specified the topics to be discussed during the event.
The development occurs amid heightened scrutiny of One Nation’s candidate selection process in Victoria. The party recently faced internal upheaval following the resignation of Matthew Collins, its Melbourne candidate, who stepped down over controversial social media content. Additionally, a party supporter was arrested at a rally after engaging in violent conduct and performing a Nazi salute.
Victoria’s Liberal frontbencher Evan Mulholland criticized One Nation for the association, questioning why the party’s candidate would offer a platform to someone affiliated with a group promoting discredited conspiracy theories. “One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has previously made controversial comments about 9/11 and the Bondi terrorist attack,” Mulholland noted, emphasizing that the party must address these concerns. “Why is its candidate giving this group a platform, and does the party reject these conspiracy theories?”
In response, One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering has defended the party’s vetting process but has not directly addressed the specific event involving O’Bryan. The party’s response comes as it continues to navigate internal challenges ahead of the state election.
The incident adds to ongoing debate about the presence of fringe views within political parties, emphasizing the tension between candidate autonomy and party oversight. It remains unclear whether Mitchell or One Nation formally distance themselves from the conspiracy theories promoted by the Know Your Rights group.