The former federal member for O'Connor says it is "ludicrous" that a "ridiculous technicality" will prevent the Nationals from fielding a candidate for the WA seat at next month's federal election.
Tony Crook, who was elected president of the WA Nationals last year, confirmed the party would not contest the seat he held between 2010 and 2013.
Mr Crook said the party's candidate, who he declined to name, was ruled ineligible on constitutional grounds.
"We had a very strong candidate lined up," Mr Crook told the ABC.
"He got through the Section 44 around citizenship.
"He was born in Australia and had to renounce citizenship, which he'd done.
"But because he decided to have a business … he decided to employ people and put on an apprentice … he was penalised for taking a federal government grant to employ an apprentice … he was effectively a contractor of the Commonwealth and therefore ineligible.
Candidate a 'shire councillor'
Mr Crook said the candidate was a "well-known shire councillor" who did not want to be named "at this stage".
Since Mr Crook retired from federal politics, the Nationals have lost the past three elections in O'Connor — Chub Witham failed to win the seat in 2013 and John Hassell came up short in 2016 and 2019.
Mr Crook denied the party was a spent force, but admitted its absence from the ballot would strengthen Liberal incumbent Rick Wilson's stranglehold on the seat.
"Not by any stretch," he responded when asked by ABC Goldfields Breakfast presenter Ivo Da Silva if the party was "dead in the water".
"Just look at the last state election," Mr Crook said.
Labor promises $8m for pool
The development comes after Labor pledged $8 million towards construction of an outdoor pool in Kalgoorlie-Boulder — the first major commitment since Laverton school teacher and former shire councillor Shaneane Weldon was preselected in November.
But Mr Crook did not think the commitment would sway voters.
"We're looking for greater reforms than a swimming pool," he said.
"We're looking for greater investment in our region than a swimming pool — we're looking for greater investment into roads and infrastructure.
"We're screaming out for housing in the Goldfields.
"The state and federal governments could partner on some significant infrastructure projects that would make a significant social difference to our lives."
Meanwhile, Mr Wilson has been campaigning in his hometown of Katanning and at Pingelly, Cuballing and Beverley, which have been added to the electorate for the upcoming election.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said the results of ballot draws held today will be published on its website later this evening.
Today's other big news was the AEC referring former One Nation senator Rod Culleton to the Australian Federal Police to determine if he made a false declaration in nominating for the coming federal election.
