Two more minor party hats thrown into O’Connor ring

A further two minor party candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the seat of O’Connor for this year’s Federal election, boosting the tally to six.

Australian Christians nominated Albany-raised man Ian t’Hart this month, who unsuccessfully ran for the seat of Albany at the 2017 State election.

Mr t’Hart ran his 2017 campaign on a platform of opposing same-sex marriage, increasing funding for school chaplaincy programs, protectionism and reducing stamp duties and government charges.

He finished that campaign with the fewest votes of all candidates, at less than 5 per cent. Mr t’Hart is joined by United Australia Party (formerly the Palmer United Party) candidate and persistent political aspirant Anthony Fels.

Mr Fels’ history of political campaigning stretches back to 2005, when he was elected as a WA Liberal Upper House member.

He was with the party for less than one term before his resignation in 2008, after he shared confidential information to lobbyists and gave false evidence to a parliamentary committee.

He ran a failed campaign for the New South Wales seat of Bennelong in 2017 and has run in five Federal and State elections since he left Parliament in 2009.