Susanne Marro Withdraws from Liberal Upper House Race Amid Neo-Nazi Link Allegations
Susanne Marro, a running mate for Liberal powerbroker Bev McArthur, has withdrawn from the race for a spot on the party's upper house ticket. This withdrawal follows reported online links to content associated with neo-Nazi extremists.
Marro ceased her candidacy after the party's applicant review committee was reportedly informed of alleged troubling activity on her social media.
Marro, a Western District beef farmer, withdrew from Saturday's preselection contest. Sources within the Liberal Party indicated that the committee raised concerns about her alleged online engagement with content linked to neo-Nazi associates. There is no suggestion that Marro or McArthur sympathize with neo-Nazis or share their views, and The Age has not seen the specific content.
Marro did not respond to inquiries, and McArthur declined to comment on the matter. This withdrawal represents a setback for McArthur, who is the Liberal Party's leader in the upper house and seeks re-preselection as the No.1 candidate for the western region.
McArthur had actively supported Marro, appearing with her at campaign events. Marro’s promotional materials also featured former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and former Victorian Premier Denis Napthine. Her campaign focused on opposition to the government’s Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund and the rollout of high-voltage cables for renewable power.
Local electors and state council delegates of the party are scheduled to finalize preselections for the upper house western region and western metropolitan seats this weekend. Marro had been nominated for the No.2 spot in the western region, alongside McArthur's nomination for the No.1 spot. The Liberal Party has reportedly enhanced its candidate scrutiny processes following past electoral issues related to poorly vetted candidates.