WA’s Federal Nationals candidates’ face ‘sex quiz’

WA Nationals candidates for the next Federal election are being quizzed by party officials about their sex lives, including whether they had “visited brothels” or “swingers clubs”.

A preselection nominees application form tells candidates they should “give careful consideration to any and all issues in your private and professional life” that could bring the party into “disrepute”.

Prospective candidates are also told to consider whether they are in any personal relationships which, if they became public, “could compromise you in a political campaign or as a parliamentarian, or cause embarrassment to you, your family, or the party”.

“Have you ever engaged prostitutes or visited brothels, swingers clubs or any other sex clubs?” the official party document, obtained by The Sunday Times, asks candidates.

Party bosses also demand to know whether the wannabe politicians have ever been accused or charged “with any acts of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual harassment, paedophilia, stalking, assault, fraud, breach of contract, racial vilification, discrimination on any grounds, or any other allegations of malpractice”.

WA Nationals sources this week said the new preselection criteria had come from the Eastern States. But in a statement, Nationals Federal director Ben Hindmarsh said State parties were responsible for the pre-selection process.

WA Nationals director Simon Glossop made no excuses for wanting to know whether candidates visited brothels or swingers clubs.

“The party conducts due diligence on all preselection applicants, as would be expected for anyone applying to potentially fill a role in public office,” Mr Glossop said.

“This level of scrutiny is consistent with that carried out by political parties across Australia.”

The Nationals have been rocked by an allegation of sexual harassment against former Federal leader Barnaby Joyce by prominent WA woman Catherine Marriott. Mr Joyce has denied the allegation.

Mr Joyce, already under pressure over an affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion, last month resigned the party leadership after the harassment claim was made public.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also declared an immediate ban on sex between ministers and staffers.

The WA Nationals do not have a representative in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

There is strong speculation former State leader Brendon Grylls may run for the Federal seat of Durack.