One Nation candidate Matthew Collins resigns over offensive social media comments ahead of Victorian election

Consensus Summary

One Nation’s candidate for Melbourne, Matthew Collins, has resigned ahead of the Victorian state election on Saturday, November 28, after offensive social media posts resurfaced. The comments, which included highly sexualised remarks and anti-Muslim rhetoric, prompted the party to accept his resignation. Collins apologised in a statement, calling the posts 'unacceptable' and saying they did not reflect his current views. Both ABC and THEAGE report that the party has distanced itself from the remarks, with a spokesperson stating that One Nation 'does not condone these comments.'

The controversy stems from Collins’ past social media activity, including a February 2020 post on X (Twitter) where he claimed he had 'never once asked any woman for any form of consent, ever.' ABC and THEAGE both highlight this specific remark as central to the scandal, though THEAGE provides additional context, including Collins’ broader online theories and references to 'decolonising' parts of the Muslim world. The posts, which also included pornographic jokes and lewd comments, were widely circulated before Collins shut down his account.

Collins, described by THEAGE as a 35-year-old newly married man working in sales, issued a public apology through One Nation, stating, 'I am very sorry for the unacceptable comments that I made.' ABC reports that Collins’ resignation leaves the party scrambling to replace him, with the nomination deadline set for Monday, November 9—19 days before the election. One Nation has not yet announced a successor, though both outlets agree the party is still evaluating its options. Collins had been running in a Greens-held seat, aiming to address community safety and cost-of-living pressures, according to THEAGE.

While both sources agree on the core facts—Collins’ resignation, the nature of the offensive posts, and the election timeline—differences emerge in emphasis. ABC focuses on the immediate political fallout, including the nomination deadline and the party’s uncertainty about a replacement. THEAGE, however, delves deeper into Collins’ personal background and the specific content of his past posts, including his anti-Muslim remarks and references to sexual consent. THEAGE also notes that Collins’ resignation could mark a turning point for One Nation, which may gain a significant presence in the next Victorian parliament, according to the Resolve Political Monitor.

The resignation leaves unresolved questions about who will replace Collins and how the scandal may impact One Nation’s electoral prospects. ABC highlights the short timeline—just four weeks until the election—while THEAGE suggests the party’s growing influence could be tested by the controversy. Both outlets agree that Collins’ comments were widely condemned, but the broader implications for One Nation’s campaign remain uncertain. The party has yet to confirm a new candidate, leaving the Melbourne seat in limbo as the election approaches.