The leader of the First Nation Party has called on the leader of the Canberra Liberals to drop a candidate who made remarks that were "deeply offensive to all Aboriginal peoples".
Paul Girrawah House, who is a Ngambri-Kamberri custodian, said Elizabeth Lee should disendorse Darren Roberts.
"If Ms Lee is serious about reconciliation with the local Aboriginal peoples of the ACT and surrounds, she should have the courage to disendorse Mr Roberts as a suitable candidate for the Liberal Party," Mr House said.
Mr Roberts operated a publicly available Facebook profile under the nom de plume Bert Poppins, where he endorsed posts that described the Voice referendum as a "sham" and called for a "push back" against Indigenous reconciliation efforts.
The Canberra Times on Wednesday revealed the existence of the page, which was made private after questions were sent to the Canberra Liberals.
Ms Lee said Mr Roberts remained an endorsed Liberal candidate.
"Those are not the views of the Canberra Liberals or my own views, and yes I have had a chance to speak with Mr Roberts and I have relayed my views to him," Ms Lee said at a press conference on Thursday.
"He is aware of the post and the stance that it does not align with my views or the party."
Mr Roberts shared a long post in June 2023 criticising Indigenous recognition and reconciliation efforts in Australia, adding: "I'm offended as well! Let's push back!!!!"
The post, in part, said: "Let me say that I am tired of hearing every day that we invaded this country. Let me say that I'm tired of being told that this is their country by the politicians, media and so on. Could you please imagine what this country would be like without those who now call Australia home?"
The post went on and said: "I'm also offended by the nonsensical Welcome to Country ceremonies that are being held every day somewhere in this country, which is again paid for by the Australian taxpayer."
In July 2024, Mr Roberts shared an image of a figure with a thought bubble that said, "How can a city be renamed with an Aboriginal place name when it didn't exist until the colonists built it?"
Mr House said Mr Roberts had shown his ignorance about the history of how Canberra was named. The name of the capital is derived from an Indigenous place name.
"The name 'Canberry' was officially proclaimed in the government gazette on January 22, 1834, and this area has been officially known by that name ever since. The surveyor James Larmer referred to the Canberry Plain in his survey of the area for the NSW government in 1837," Mr House said in a statement.
"The Sydney Morning Herald of March 21, 1845, records the consecration of Canberry Church (what is now St John's Church in Reid) on 'Canbury Plain' by the Rt Reverend W.G. Broughton [on] March 12, 1845."
The city of Canberra was established and named in 1913. Joshua John Moore had been the first European to claim land in the district. He referred to the location as "Canberry".
Mr House, who is standing as a candidate in Kurrajong, said Mr Roberts had made many misstatements and untruths about the First Peoples.
"It is very clear that Mr Roberts is not interested in going down the path of genuine reconciliation with First Nations peoples based on mutual respect and trust, and building bridges for a better future for all," he said.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr had also called on Ms Lee to act against Mr Roberts following the "serious reports of racist and offensive content".
"While it's clear there is still a deeply held conservatism within Liberals, this goes beyond. It's hateful and vile," Mr Barr wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Responding to a comment on his campaign Facebook page that asked "What would Bert Poppins have to say about this? Something racist no doubt", Mr Roberts on Thursday wrote: "no because he isn't a racist! His best mate is Malayan. His running mate and friend Chiaka Barry is Nigerian. Don't believe everything you read in the paper!!!!"
