One Nation Candidate Sparks Outrage With Calls for Former Premiers to Be Jailed

A political firestorm has erupted in Victoria after a One Nation candidate suggested that former premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan should be imprisoned by Christmas.

Mark Nicholson, One Nation's lead candidate for the Northern Metropolitan Region, made the inflammatory remarks during the party's campaign launch on Saturday in Melbourne. He stated, "If I have it my way, Dan Andrews, Jacinta Allan, they’ll be in prison by Christmas." He also promised that "heads are going to roll" if One Nation gains government, describing the campaign as a "revolution."

The comments were quickly met with criticism from various political figures and commentators. Libertarian MP David Limbrick condemned Nicholson’s statement as undemocratic, warning that such rhetoric could be used against its proponents.

"There is nothing patriotic, Australian or even Western about the idea of threatening to imprison political opponents," Limbrick wrote on social media. "Those who propose this type of power never imagine it will be used against them. It absolutely will."

Veteran broadcaster Neil Mitchell also weighed in, describing the remarks as incompatible with democratic principles and the rule of law. "One Nation promises Andrews and Allan will be in prison by Christmas. What complete nonsense," Mitchell stated. "Judicial independence and fairness are foundation stones of democracy. Even for people we may not like."

These remarks come as a royal commission is underway to investigate allegations of corruption and organized crime within Victoria's building industry. The inquiry is examining claims that organized crime figures infiltrated major taxpayer-funded projects, including those part of the state's Big Build infrastructure program during Andrews' premiership and Allan's tenure as infrastructure minister.

A report prepared by Geoffrey Watson SC for a Queensland inquiry suggested that billions of dollars may have been lost through corruption, intimidation, and criminal activity across government-funded construction projects. In response, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll established the royal commission into these allegations.

Both Andrews and Allan are expected to be called to give evidence before the inquiry regarding their oversight of the state's infrastructure program.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson, when asked about Nicholson's remarks, declined to endorse them. Instead, he emphasized the importance of due process and pointed to the Victorian government's establishment of the royal commission. "What I want is to make sure there's proper due process," Wilson said. "That's why finally Labor has been dragged kicking and screaming to a royal commission. We need a Coalition government to make sure that the royal commission does its job, holds people to account in a way that hasn't occurred."

Wilson also reiterated accusations against the Victorian Labor government concerning public money and dealings with the CFMEU, stating, "Last time I was on this program, we talked about how $15 billion had been handed from taxpayers' money to the CFMEU-Labor cartel through to organised crime. We need to make sure people are held to account."

When pressed on whether he wanted current or former Victorian politicians prosecuted, Wilson stopped short of endorsing Nicholson's specific call but asserted that political office should not exempt individuals from legal consequences. "I don't believe anybody is above the law," he stated. "The King is not above the law."

Daily Mail has approached One Nation for comment on the matter.