In a surprising turn of events, Jason Smart, the Trumpet of Patriots candidate for the Flinders electorate in Victoria, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming federal election. This decision comes after he was blindsided by the party's decision to preference Climate 200-endorsed independent candidate Ben Smith second on the how-to-vote card. The announcement was made on April 21, 2025, following a tumultuous week for Smart, who expressed disbelief over the party's actions.
Smart and his wife have been in shock since Friday, April 18, when they learned about the preference allocation. "My wife and I have been sitting here at home in utter disbelief since Friday morning," he stated. Smart had previously received an assurance from Clive Palmer, the leader of the Trumpet of Patriots, that the Teal, Labor, and Greens candidates would be placed last on the how-to-vote card. "I was given an undertaking by Clive Palmer and the Trumpet of Patriots that if I ran as a candidate for them, that the Teal/Labor/Greens candidates would be last on the how-to-vote card. I only agreed to run on that basis," Smart explained.
The situation escalated when the Trumpet of Patriots head office informed Smart that his second preference would go to Smith, despite his earlier understanding. This decision has left Smart feeling betrayed and has prompted him to encourage other candidates from the Trumpet of Patriots to withdraw as well. "I’m nobody’s chump," he declared, emphasizing that he would not compromise his principles for political gain.
In the midst of this turmoil, Smart has reached out to One Nation candidate Mike Brown, with whom he had previously announced a unified alliance on April 16, 2025. Smart stated that he would be assisting Brown's campaign moving forward. Brown, who had initially planned to place Smart second on his ticket, is now scrambling to reprint 25,000 how-to-vote cards that had preferenced Smart, as he has decided to preference Liberal incumbent Zoe McKenzie second instead.
The implications of this preference crisis extend beyond Smart and Brown. Election analyst Dr. Kevin Bonham noted that voter adherence to how-to-vote cards is generally low, with about 45% of voters following recommendations from major parties, while support for minor parties tends to be significantly less. This trend raises questions about the potential impact of the Trumpet of Patriots on the overall election landscape.
As the pre-polling period begins on April 22, 2025, Smart's withdrawal marks him as the third federal election candidate to step back after nominations closed. Previously, Family First's Longman candidate Malachi Brogden Hearne was disendorsed for social media posts, and Greens candidate Owen Fitzgerald withdrew upon discovering he held New Zealand citizenship by descent.
The Smith campaign has stated that they were unaware of their preference position until the how-to-vote cards were published, indicating a lack of communication between the parties involved. This further complicates the dynamics of the election, as candidates are forced to navigate the shifting landscape of voter preferences and party alliances.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Sky News host Chris Kenny has expressed concerns that the Trumpet of Patriots could negatively impact the Coalition in the upcoming election. He noted that with both major parties polling low, many voters who might have supported the Coalition could instead turn to minor parties like the Trumpet of Patriots. "Most of the people who would vote for this sideshow would probably otherwise vote for the Coalition parties," Kenny remarked.
As the election approaches, the fallout from Smart's resignation and the preferencing debacle will likely continue to unfold, with significant implications for all parties involved. Voters in Flinders are now faced with a complicated decision as they prepare to cast their ballots, with Smart urging them to put him last on their tickets.
With the political climate in Victoria rapidly changing, the outcome of the Flinders seat remains uncertain. The Trumpet of Patriots, along with other minor parties, may play a crucial role in shaping the election results, and how voters respond to these developments could have lasting effects on the future of Australian politics.
As candidates scramble to adjust their strategies and communicate their positions to the electorate, the upcoming federal election promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With issues such as youth crime, cost of living, immigration, and power prices at the forefront of voters' minds, the stakes are high for all parties involved.
Ultimately, the decisions made in the coming days will not only affect the candidates but also the voters of Flinders and beyond, as they navigate a complex political landscape filled with shifting alliances and unexpected developments.
